The terminal building at Kansai International Airport is the longest in the world,... 1.7 kilometres.
The 4-story "canyon" is part of Renzo Piano's award-winning design. Built on an artificial island at huge cost, the island sank 3 metres more than predicted and so several billion more dollars were spent.
Incredibly light and airy, it's a very comfortable airport to spend time in, partly because its not very busy.
Piano's initial sketch was of a glider landed on the island, and the departure lounges are the wings stretching out on either side of the main terminal.
The airport is beautiful through your eyes. I have a very brief memory of the place. I got on the wrong train and nearly missed my flight out of KIX. From the time I arrived at the airport until the time I was actually in the air took only about 10 minutes. Needless to say I was running the whole time and didn't get to enjoy the view a bit.
ReplyDeleteI've overnighted there a couple of times, so wandered alone through it's vastness
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