Architects reveal designs for Riyadh's new King Salman International Airport

British firm Foster + Partners won the bid to design one of the world's largest airports

British architecture firm Foster + Partners has won the bid to design the new six-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh. All photos: Foster + Partners

The architecture studio has released renders of their winning designs

The new airport aims to welcome 120 million passengers by 2030 and will be one of the largest airports in the world

The architects will also design 12 square kilometres of residential, recreational and airport support facilities, as well as retail stores

The design will take Riyadh's identity and Saudi culture into consideration, to create a 'unique travel experience', incorporating 'cutting-edge green initiatives', said the studio

This is the third airport currently being designed by Foster + Partners in the kingdom

British architecture firm Foster + Partners has won the bid to design the new six-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the new project last Monday.

The new airport aims to welcome 120 million passengers by 2030 and will be one of the largest airports in the world, with plans to process 3.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2050, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The airport, which is named after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, will also incorporate existing terminals named after former king Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The architects will also design 12 square kilometres of residential, recreational and airport support facilities, as well as retail stores.

"Looking forward to the future, the new King Salman International Airport reimagines the traditional terminal as a single concourse loop, served by multiple entrances," said Luke Fox, head of studio at Foster + Partners.

"The terminal is very much of its place and connects passengers to the sensory experiences of the city, with natural elements, tempered light and state-of-the-art facilities."

The project aims to place sustainability “at its core”, according to SPA, and will be powered by renewable energy.

As part of this, the design will achieve LEED Platinum certification, while also taking Riyadh's identity and Saudi culture into consideration, to create a "unique travel experience", incorporating "cutting-edge green initiatives", said Foster + Partners.

"This visionary development will play an important role in shaping the city into a global hub of creativity and innovation," said Seif A Bahaa Eldin, senior partner at the studio.

This is the third airport currently being designed by Foster + Partners in the kingdom.

The British firm also worked on the Red Sea International Airport, which is under construction, and is designing a private airport terminal and control tower for Amaala, the luxury resort on the Red Sea coast.

Red Sea International Airport, being designed by Foster + Partners, is under construction. Photo: Red Sea Global

In October, designs for the "world's first fully immersive experiential marine life centre" in Saudi Arabia were unveiled by Foster + Partners.

The cluster of four buildings, which will be at the Triple Bay Marina in Amaala and have one floor underground and another underwater, is designed to resemble coral reefs.

It will be a Marine Life Institute and centre for The Red Sea Development Company, spanning 10,430 square metres.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the renders for the marine life centre and more of the Amaala development

A rendering of Marine Life Institute, which will be in the Amaala luxury development in Saudi Arabia. Photo: The Red Sea Development Company

The Marine Life Institute is designed to resemble a coral reef. Photo: The Red Sea Development Company

It will also be home to one of the world's largest man-made reefs. Photo: The Red Sea Development Company

Amaala will have a 120-berth marina for vessels up to 130 metres in length. Photo: Amaala

Amaala has unveiled the design for its Triple Bay Yacht Club. Photo: Amaala

Amaala is a planned tourist destination on the north-western coast of the Red Sea.

The development will add 2,500 hotel rooms and 700 private residential villas, along with a retail area featuring 200 outlets. Photo: SCTH

There will also be a Marine Life Museum.

A rendering of the design for Amaala aiport in Saudi Arabia, which will cater to the luxury traveller and should be completed by 2023. Photo: Foster + Partners

A rendering of the design for Amaala aiport in Saudi Arabia, which will cater to the luxury traveller and should be completed by 2023. Supplied

What the Triple Bay area will look like.

An overview of Amaala’s Triple Bay, that offers a fully-holistic wellness retreat and medical facilities. Photo: Amaala

An illustration of the Amaala mega-project - one of a number of coastal and tourism schemes Saudi Arabia is developing under Vision 2030. Photo: Saudi Commission for Tourism and Natural Heritage