Ben van Berkel / UNStudio's design for the new Kutaisi Airport officially presented yesterday by the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili

UNStudio's design for the new Transfer Terminal and Air Traffic Control Tower for Kutaisi Airport was officially presented yesterday by the President of Georgia.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who personally demolished one of the walls of the old airport yesterday announced, "We will build an international airport here, which will take aircraft from Munich, Rome, Baku and other cities as of next year."

UNStudio has designed the new Kutaisi Airport which will serve domestic and international flights for use by international diplomats, national politicians and for tourism.

Ben van Berkel: "The design for the new terminal in Kutaisi focuses first and foremost on the experience of the traveller by creating an inviting, safe, transparent and user-friendly airport. The desire to provide for and communicate equally with both international visitors and the local community is paramount."

UNStudio’s design for the new Kutaisi Airport incorporates both Georgia’s historic landscape and its architecture. The architecture of the terminal refers to a pavilion; a gateway, in which a clear structural layout creates an all-encompassing and protective volume.