The renowned Zaha Hadid Architects has been selected to design a new terminal at Vilnius International Airport. Winner of an international competition, the project aims to establish Vilnius as a major aviation hub in the Baltic region and increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity to ten million.
Drawing heavily on Lithuania’s cultural heritage, the design incorporates the symbolic rhombus shape and the traditional ‘Sodai’ straw gardens, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. In line with ZHA’s signature style, the building features clean, flowing lines and a dynamic roof structure that appears to float above the ground, evoking the view of clouds from an aeroplane.
“Evoking the experience of being immersed within traditional sodai, the terminal’s pleated roof finished in timber from local forests defines the interiors and reflects the art form’s delicate, interconnected geometries,” said Zaha Hadid Architects.
The modular roof, which is made from locally sourced timber, features rhomboidal and triangular-shaped windows that let natural light flow in and helps create the terminal’s distinctive silhouette. The flexible design is set to enable the building to adapt to future aviation technologies and changing passenger requirements.
Inside, the spacious, bright atrium with its wooden ceilings creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and the large glass façades offer panoramic views of the airfield. The extensive use of natural materials, such as local wood and stone, throughout the interior reinforces the building’s connection to Lithuanian traditions and landscapes.
The new arrivals terminal will also serve as a vital part of Vilnius’ sustainable urban mobility plan. Located at Airport Plaza, it will function as a vital multimodal transport hub, connecting with city and intercity buses, taxis, pedestrian zones, cycle paths and future high-speed rail services, including Rail Baltica.
The terminal is designed to set new standards in sustainable airport architecture. Targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, it incorporates advanced passive energy-saving measures and a hybrid natural ventilation system. Additional green features will include solar panels, rainwater harvesting and an advanced wastewater recycling system.
The new terminal is set to become a benchmark for Vilnius and the wider Baltic region by combining cutting-edge architecture with sustainability and cultural sensitivity. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the terminal scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2028.
This will be the third terminal at Vilnius International Airport. The original terminal, completed in 1954, remains a notable architectural feature and will now be flanked by the new arrival and departure halls.
ZHA, named after its pioneering founder Zaha Hadid, has designed several other major airports, including Beijing Daxing International Airport in China, Navi Mumbai International Airport in India and Western Sydney International Airport in Australia. While each project reflects ZHA’s iconic, fluid, futuristic style, the designs are also carefully adapted to local cultural and environmental contexts.
