MAD Architects has nearly completed construction of the new airport in Lishui, the “forest city” located in the southwestern province of Zhejiang, China. With officially scheduled to open in late 2024, the airport covers 2,267 hectares and features a 12,000-square-meter terminal designed to harmonize with the surrounding mountainous environment.

The terminal's architectural language embodies a deep connection with its surroundings. A feather-like roof composed of lightweight aluminum panels is supported by 14 umbrella-shaped columns, inspiring a sense of lightness and fluidity. Spanning 30 meters, a dramatic overhang frames the entrance, creating a spacious, naturally lit atrium that welcomes travelers with openness.

Created by leveling nearly 100 meters in elevation, the airport is designed to have natural light everywhere, thanks to a major central skylight, while the silver-white roof has bold features that embrace fluidity. Passenger areas increase in height from 4.5 to 13 meters, offering options for intimacy and spaciousness, while the compact layout integrates arrival and departure areas for easy travel.

A landscaped walkway connects the parking area with the terminal, improving accessibility and maintaining the airport's dialogue with the surrounding nature. Lishui Airport has three boarding bridges, five remote stands and an initial capacity to serve one million passengers per year. It is envisioned as a national regional airport, emphasizing convenience and human-centered design over monumental scale.

Future expansion is built into the airport's structure, which envisions growth to accommodate 1.8 million passengers by 2030 and up to five million by 2050. The provision of an international terminal ensures that Lishui Airport can evolve along with the development of the region.