Bhutan's recently-unveiled airport promises national transformation through its striking design
Updating the Wellness Trend:
The buzzword in today's wellness world is mindfulness, with countless hotels, spas, and classes dedicated to its cultivation. However, the Himalayan nation of Bhutan has taken this notion to a new level, planning an entire city centered around mindfulness.
The proposed location for this mindful utopia is the city of Gelephu, situated in southern Bhutan close to India's border. Although details about the project have been scarce, recently, the Bjarke Ingels Group architecture firm unveiled its plans for the upcoming Gelephu airport, giving us the most comprehensive insight into the city's vision.
The designs showcase an array of wooden, diamond-shaped structures, each modular, allowing for future updates or expansions. Despite airports often being sources of stress due to delays, lost luggage, or long lines, the designs aim to embody mindfulness through the integration of natural elements and embracing Bhutan's principle of "gross national happiness."
This principle prioritizes residents' well-being as a crucial factor in measuring quality of life. As Bjarke Ingels expressed, "An airport is the first and last impression you get of a place you visit. We aimed to create an airport that would resonate with the traditional yet avant-garde, forward-reaching, and rooted essence of Bhutan."
The airport's designers claim it will be carbon-negative, with rooftop solar panels providing energy. Scheduled to span 731,946 square feet, the airport will accommodate 123 flights per day and cater to approximately 1.3 million passengers yearly—a significant figure for the landlocked country of Bhutan, attracting only 316,000 tourists in 2019.
Currently, all foreign visitors fly into Paro International Airport, but Gelephu's flatter terrain and convenient location near India will allow for larger jets and long runways, as well as railway and road links.
The construction of Gelephu International Airport has been spearheaded by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, credited with pushing for "high value, low impact" tourism. This approach charges a daily sustainable development fee of $100 from visitors, directing funds toward improving health care, education, and other public services in Bhutan.
As of yet, there is no confirmed opening date for Gelephu International Airport, but its construction will undeniably redefine the concept of travel and mindfulness for a growing number of global travelers.
- The proposed mindful city in Gelephu, Bhutan, is expected to redefine travel by incorporating mindfulness into its design, even extending to the upcoming Gelephu airport, designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group.
- The Gelephu airport, with its carbon-negative structures and integration of natural elements, aims to embody Bhutan's principle of "gross national happiness," offering a unique blend of tradition and avant-garde design.
- In line with Bhutan's push for high value, low impact tourism, the Gelephu airport's designs echo the Himalayan nation's commitment to sustainability, potentially attracting a larger number of travelers seeking a more mindful travel experience.
