Designed by New York-based SOM Architects, the new 255,661 sq m Terminal 2 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport pays a tribute to the Garden City. Airports are the first point of contact for both domestic and international tourists visiting a city. In a way,they set an expectation and create an impression in the minds of people about the city. Designing such spaces can be a complex affair as the designer has to address a global perception without losing sight of the city’ roots and heritage. Terminal 2 (T2), the new terminal at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, manages to address these concerns in a seamless way. Passengers get a unique experience because of T2's size and thoughtful design. With 90 check-in counters,it attempts to make check-ins quicker. The security check areas are also simple to use. The two-level domestic and international retail spaces, as well as the lounge areas, are designed to offer picturesque views of the surrounding vegetation. Nineteen boarding gates (for Code C comparable aircraft) are accommodated on the L-shaped piers, which are moved out from the main complex to allow plenty of area for mobility. In the interiors, the terminal is covered in engineered bamboo influenced by traditional Indian cane weaving, giving it a modern yet timeless appearance. The guiding principles ‘Terminal in a Garden’,‘Sustainability’, ‘Technology’ and ‘Art & Culture’ are the four guiding ideas that have impacted the design and architecture of T2. The passenger experience at T2 is envisioned to be like taking a walk in the garden, paying homage to the Garden City. The 10,000+ sq m of green walls, hanging gardens and outdoor gardens that passengers will pass through were entirely created in India using local technology. In a terminal, every human emotion is on full show. The subject that links all the commissioned artwork at T2 to convey thisis Naurasa. The artworks are on display in key areas, acting as beacons that encourage travellers to stop, think, and enjoy themselves. They reflect the larger Indian ethos as well as the heritage and culture of Karnataka. Of more than 300 open submissions, 60 works of art by 43 artists were chosen. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.