Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the second largest airport in the Philippines.

To meet traffic
demands a new Terminal 2 for international traffic is planned to supplement the existing Terminal 1,
which will be converted to Domestic use when T2 completes. Hong Kong-based architect, Integrated
Design Associates, was invited to design the new terminal. The expanded facility is expected to
transform MCIA from a city airport to a world-class international hub, as the main gateway to the central
Philippine region.

The new Terminal 2 is designed for 4 million passengers per annum (MPPA) at the initial phase of
development, and is anticipated to grow to 8 mppa within the next 10 years. The modular design allows
the terminal to expand incrementally, a basic building block configured for optimum adaptability to
meet future change.

The new Terminal 2, as the gateway to tourist resorts in the region, is designed to echo a resort-like feel
while function as a transport interchange. Its concept is contextual. Like a tropical grand indigenous
house in The Philippines, the terminal has a high pitch roof and low eaves to fend off solar heat and
glare. The uppermost structure is lightweight to withstand seismic activity and its form is well braced
against typhoons. The superstructure is made from sustainable material and capable to be built by local
craftsmen. The building exudes simplicity and warmth to stand it apart from the institutional coldness
typified by many airports. The new Terminal 2 is designed to offer a new experience for passengers.

The main roof structure, composed of arrays of glulam arches spanning 30m, defines the building
modular composition and its architectural form. Air-conditioning ducts are fully integrated into the
valleys of the vaulted roof, while the apex of the arch has skylights to let in natural light. The 15m high
main north and south façades, protected by the roof overhangs, offer clear, uninterrupted views out of
the building. The orientation of the roof and clear visibility from kerb side to aircraft provide an
unequivocal sense of direction for passengers moving through the building.

The MCIA project has already broken a few records during its construction. The glulam timber structure,
made of spruce from certified sustainable source, is the biggest project of its kind in the world. The use
of laminated timber is another first for a major transport building in Asia, and is selected for its low-
carbon footprint, ease of erection and a natural self-finish. The bold design is a celebrated landmark; a
symbol of pride and a showcase of the best Cebu have to offer.

The terminal was designed by Hong Kong-based Integrated Design Associates, with local designers Budji
Layug, Royal Pinda, and Cebu’s Kenneth Cobonpue. The roof, which is made out of wood, is the most
recognisable element. The structure is composed of an array of glulam (glue-laminated) arches, which
form the roof curvature and define its geometry and modularity.

The arches span every 30 metres allowing the terminal to be as column-free as possible. The white
alpine’s wood has a service life of about 200 years and requires a protective coating every 50 years.