Less than five years after the opening of Georgia’s Kutaisi ‘King David the Builder’ International

Airport, rapidly increasing usage (from 12,915 passengers a year in 2012 to more than 300,000 in
2016) has prompted the airport to begin plans for an expansion that could serve as many as
1,000,000 passengers by 2020.
To achieve these goals, the airport has returned to the architects who designed the original
structure, UNStudio (with local architects Artstudio Project), to develop a unique airport concept
featuring terraced waiting areas and a rooftop viewing garden.

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The terminal extension will continue the linear design language of the existing building, while
introducing a new topological element that references the lines of the Caucasus Mountains that
can be seen on the horizon.
In order to preserve visual connection and circulatory flow throughout the airport, UNStudio and
airport consultant IATA located key programmatic functions within five clear ‘functional islands’:
the Departure hall, Security area, Central passenger hall, Back of house offices and Arrival hall.
“By enhancing the transparency and openness of the Departure, Central and Arrival halls it became
possible to provide a pleasant and comfortable travel experience,” explains UNStudio. “Using the
correct human scale, flow, spatial language and materialisation for these areas forms the basis of
providing comfort for every visitor.”

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Interior Concept Diagram. Image Courtesy of UNStudio

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Balancing the architectural “umbrella” in the existing wing, the new elevated plaza will become a
green recreational hub and waiting area where passengers can prepare for their flights or greet their
families. The plaza will stretch all the way to the roof, allowing visitors to view the activity of the
airport from an overhead vantage point.
“The elevated plaza runs up to the roof level and, by splitting the length of the terminal, creates
another moment of orientation,” describe the architects.
“From here it is possible to facilitate the use of the outdoor environment where family and friends
can easily observe the arrival of their loved ones, or where passengers can enjoy a little break out
time before a long journey.”

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Photo of the existing Kutaisi ‘King David the Builder’ International Airport / UNStudio. Image ©
Nakani Mamasakhlisi
The project will be carried out over several phases that will allow the airport to continually operate
throughout construction. Showing the massive capacity growth of the project, the entire existing
building will be transformed into the Departure hall, while Arrivals, customs and the underground
luggage handling will all be located in the new extension.

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Extension Concept Diagram. Image Courtesy of UNStudio

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Phasing Plan. Image Courtesy of UNStudio

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Interior Impressions. Image Courtesy of UNStudio
To further improve connections between the airport and Georgia’s major areas of population, the
airport will be connected to a new railway linking the capital, Tbilisi, and the Black Sea coast.
“Visitors are entering this fascinating and hospitable country from all directions,”
added UNStudio. “United Airports of Georgia wants to make sure that they are serviced in the
most efficient way - but also with a local touch.”
Architects
Artstudio Project, UNStudio
Location
David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport, Georgia
UNStudio Team
Ben van Berkel with Frans van Vuure, Roman Kristesiashvili and Alexander Kalachev, Melinda
Matuz, Christoph Zechmeister, Pietro Scarpa, Derrick Diporedjo and Sabrina Li
Local Architect
Artstudio Project Ltd, Tbilisi
Client
United Airports of Georgia LLC
Airport Consultant
IATA, Montreal, Canada
Building Surface
4,500 m2 + 13,000 m2
Building Volume
115,200 m3
Building Site
16,000m2
Area
17500.0 m2