Lushui, in the southwest of Zhejiang Province, China, is known for its lush greenery and valleys. Ma Yansong’s firm MAD Architects will be giving it its first airport for a predicted one million passengers a year. Located on hilly ground 15 kilometers away, the project, while guaranteeing accessibility, tries to respect the original site, prioritizing human scale and city identity.

An overhanging roof rises to a height of almost 24 meters, and looks like a white-feathered bird ready to fly. This form absorbs the elevation changes and merges the building with the mountains. The curving interior harbors two levels and contributes to a fluid transition between interior and exterior spaces. Construction is under way and is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.