The massive steel superstructure that will make up the world's largest airport terminal has assumed its form, inviting Chinese media to snap photos of the intricate webbed roof. The Zaha Hadid-designed hub is the focal point of a new international airport serving Beijing. Currently scheduled to open in 2019, the airport is taking shape in the capital city's Daxing District, approximately 46 kilometres south of the city centre and 67 kilometres from the overcrowded Beijing Capital International Airport.

What the huge terminal will look like, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

With 3.4 million square feet of space suited to accommodate 72 million passengers annually — and room for future expansions serving up to 100 million passengers every year — the airport is nothing short of gargantuan. The terminal building features a six-pier radial design meant to resemble a phoenix spreading its wings.

The signature curves of Zaha Hadid are in abundance, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

The compact design aims to reduce a problem plaguing airports around the world: the long trek between checking in and taking off. By branching each pier from the terminal's central court, where all passenger services and amenities are situated, long walking distances are substantially minimized. According to Zaha Hadid Architects, the format also follows the principles within Chinese architecture that arrange interconnected spaces around a nucleus.

An interior rendering of the drooping ceiling, image via Zaha Hadid Architects

Parabolic cutouts in the ceiling stretch to the ground and introduce pockets of natural light to the space. The airport will also include an integrated transport centre offering links to Beijing city centre, local rail services and the national high-speed rail network. The airport doesn't yet have an official name, but is going by 'Beijing Daxing International Airport' in the interim.

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