Close

Take-off: Pininfarina in Istanbul

The New Istanbul Airport will host the ATC Tower designed by Pininfarina + AECOM.

The New Istanbul Airport (INA), designed to become the largest new airport in terms of annual passenger capacity has been inaugurated. The structure will initially be able to accommodate up to 90 million passengers a year. It will rise in the European part of the city, at 35 kilometers from the centre on a site near the Black Sea. Subsequently, the airport is expected to expand reaching the final capacity of 200 million passengers per year.

The architecture is embellished by the Air Traffic Control Tower, which won the won the prestigious International Architecture Award 2016, was designed by Pininfarina and AECOM. The 360° view of the air traffic controllers is guaranteed through a glazing designed to optimize irradiation and acoustic comfort.

The tower, flagship of the structure, is in fact inspired by the tulip, for many centuries a symbol of Istanbul and an important cultural reference in Turkish history. The shapes of this flower have been redesigned and reinterpreted through Pininfarina’s identity, based on its profound knowledge in automotive design, wind tunnel modelling and on the strong influence inherited from aerodynamic shapes used in aeronautical design.

The elliptical shape of the tower seems to be sculpted by the wind and influences all aspects of the form and geometry of the technical building below. The references to the local architecture are again found inside the structure: the central atrium, for example, has a bespoke skylight, typical of Turkish historic buildings, realized to fill the spaces through a bright mosaic light.

www.pininfarina.com

The Latest

Zaha Hadid Foundation launches scholars program

The Zaha Hadid Foundation partners with the American University of Beirut to support the next generation of architectural talent.

Zayed National Museum

Zayed National Museum to open in December 2025

The Foster + Partners designed striking museum will honour the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Culture & Conversations

identity hosted a roundtable and workshop in honour of Emirati Women's Day in collaboration with Casamia

identity Design Awards 2025

identity Design Awards 2025 launches

identity is excited to announce its 11th annual identity Design Awards 2025.

Dubai Design Week is back in 2025

Taking place between 4-9 November, here's what we know so far about the 11th edition of the Middle East's leading design festival.

Abu Dhabi Bright

From cultural icons to world-class entertainment, this latest book by Assouline captures the many layers of the UAE’s capital

Bold and Experimental

This villa by C'est Ici captures the bold and vibrant personality of its owners

A New Urban Destination – The Gold

Located on King Salman Road, the 32,000m2 development will redefine leisure, dining and wellness in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

The Art of Cooling

Gaggenau’s new refrigeration series blurs the line between architecture and appliance

Designing Movement

RIMOWA’s signature grooved aluminium meets Vitra’s refined design sensibilities

A Sense of Sanctuary

We interview Tanuj Goenka, Director of Kerry Hill Architects (KHA) on the development of the latest Aman Residences in Dubai

Elevated Design

In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Aseer region, DLR Group has redefined hospitality through bold architecture, regional resonance and a contemporary lens on culture at Hilton The Point