The airport that took the global spotlight at the 2019 World Architecture Festival is no other than the Mactan-Cebu International Airport located in Cebu, Philippines.

Courtesy of Budji Layud, Royal Pinda, Kenneth Cobonpue, Hong Kong Integrated Design Associates, Department of Tourism(PH), Megawide Construction, GMR Group, MCIA Authority,
Arup(for providing structural design, planning, and other multidisciplinary services)

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This is the Mactan Cebu International Airport, the airport who took the global spotlight at the 2019 World Architecture Festival for its outstanding and beautiful Filipino design. And it is now considered as one of the best airports in Asia. Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 won the “Completed Buildings: Transport” category of the prestigious annual awards edging out the world’s number one airport, which is the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, along with several other world-class designs. The World Architecture Festival was held in The Netherlands back in December 2019, and it is dubbed as the largest interactive architectural awards program and festival in the world.

The judging panel praised the airport for its simplicity and elegance, as the new airport uses many locally sourced materials which are well integrated into the terminal’s design and landscape plan. The internal spaces were also described to be light and uncluttered, with the design capable of future extension. According to the judges, the terminal not only provides a memorable travel experience but has also touched the chords of local people, making it an immensely popular tourist spot.

Cebu has always been at the forefront of the Philippine tourism industry, and MCIA is a primary gateway that connects travelers to top destinations in the region. Even before the launch of Terminal 2, MCIA was the second-largest airport facility in the Philippines, with 10 million passengers passing through it last year. As tourism in the country continues to surge, particularly in the Visayas, Cebu is in prime position to take on the growing influx of travelers. In this opportune time, the new MCIA Terminal 2 will provide a fresh “first impression” to visitors. If you’re a traveler who just spent most of the day flying, Terminal 2 is a sight for sore eyes. To put it simply, every nook and cranny of Terminal 2 is candy for social media.

The terminal was designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates, with local designers Budji Layud, Royal Pinda, and Kenneth Cobonque. The roof, which is made of wood, is the most recognisable element. The structure is composed of an array of glue-laminated arches, which form the roof curvature and define its geometry and modularity. The arches span every 30 metres, allowing the terminal to be as column-free as possible. The white alpine’s wood has a service life of about 200 years and requires a protective coating every 50 years. Then there’s the airport floor, laid with mother-of-pearl shells, a sparkling reminder of Cebu’s famous beaches and marine attractions. The check-in counters are covered in intricate weaves, reminiscent of banig and Visayan baskets. Synthetic stone countertops embellished with Dedon’s environmentally friendly fibre-synthetic mesh weaving accented by LED mood lights make up the check-in counters at the departure hall. Meanwhile, the retail area in the terminal spans approximately 3,000 square meters, and features an 895 square meters walk-through duty free store operated by Duty Free Philippines which complements the look and feel of the terminal.

According to the Department of Tourism, with Mactan being the busiest international airport in the Philippines, this architecturally astounding building serves as an important gateway to the Philippines. The building’s roof represents the ocean, while its expansive and exposed internal structure reminds one of the hull of a boat; its brightness and openness of space, deeply symbolic of the Filipinos’ welcoming nature.

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