The authors of the project, Ma Yansong and his bureau MAD, compare the future terminal of Harbin International Airport to a huge snowflake: this is a reference to the endless snow-covered plains of northern China, which the transport hub is designed to serve. Now, about 20 million passengers pass through Taiping with its two terminals annually, and by 2030 the third terminal alone will accommodate 43 million people (320,000 flights per year).
The plan in the form of a snowflake, with far-reaching "rays", made it possible to make the building with an area of 918.5 thousand m2 (plot area - 3269 hectares) less massive and more human-scaled. In addition, such a scheme reduces travel time to the gate, avoids congestion due to crowds and makes airport apron management more efficient. For the comfort of travelers, winter gardens have been invented, separating the main areas of the terminal: they connect different levels of the building and provide passengers with space for a quiet rest. The roof protrusions, reminiscent of snowdrifts, hide glazed openings that provide the interior with natural light and help people navigate in space with their regular rhythm.
The airport complex includes a Ground Transportation Center that connects Aeroexpress buses, a city metro station, a high-speed railway, etc. Its multi-tiered structure includes "natural" landscaping.
