Future Project of the Year 2025 went to Gelephu International Airport by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group in Gelephu, Bhutan at this year's World Architecture Festival. 

The World Architecture Festival took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, United States on 12 - 14 November 2025.

The Gelephu International Airport, which is ideally situated close to the Paitha River and the Bhutan-India border, combines modern innovation with traditional craftsmanship to serve as Bhutan's second international gateway. 

The airport is scheduled to open in 2029 and will accommodate 123 daily flights at first. By 2065, it is expected to handle 5.5 million passengers annually.

The airport honors Bhutanese culture by showcasing local goods and using natural lighting, a magnificent triple-height lobby, skylights, and floor-to-ceiling windows to encourage mindfulness in travelers. 

Bhutan's dedication to happiness and well-being is reflected in the indoor and outdoor lounges that provide areas for yoga, gong baths, and meditation.

The terminal's eye-catching diagrid structure is decorated with traditional Bhutanese wood carvings and constructed from locally and sustainably produced timber. Its painted façade combines architectural legacy with spiritual symbolism by alluding to the Kachen, a revered structural wooden pillar. 

While ventilated roofs and courtyards encourage airflow, the timber frame aids in controlling inside humidity. Shade and protection from monsoon rains are provided by extended eaves.

Operational effectiveness and passenger experience are given top priority in the layout. An upper level with expansive views of the Himalayas houses the gates, shops, and dining areas. 

Additionally, the airport will be Bhutan's first center for inland transportation, with accessible trackless trams and public buses connecting it to the surrounding area.

Site plan

Ground Floor Plan

Section

Last year, Emre Arolat Architecture was awarded the Future Project of the Year for the Küçükçekmece Djemevi in Turkey at the 2024 World Architecture Festival. 

The Miami Beach Convention Center hosted the World Architecture Festival from November 12–14, 2025, located in the famous Art Deco District at the center of South Beach. The global architecture community gathers at WAF to celebrate, learn, share, and be inspired.

The largest live-judged architecture awards program in the world is held annually by WAF. Through presentations by architects to prominent delegations and worldwide judging panels, it honors design accomplishments.

Read more about the project on WAC. 

All renderings & drawings are courtesy of BIG. 

> via WAF 

airport BIG concept Future Project Of The Year WAF