Fentress Architects just announced the winners of the 2017 Fentress Global Challenge, an international design competition challenging young and student architects to envision an Airport of the Future for the year 2075. Judged by an esteemed panel of aviation and design  professionals, the winning designs “were very impressive in terms of both the quality of design as well as the use of technology, which was very innovative and creative,” per Curt Fentress, Principal of Design at Fentress Architects.
This is the sixth year that Fentress Architects has sponsored and administered the award, which brings a First Prize of $15,000 and a summer internship at Fentress’ Denver office; four additional winners will receive smaller cash awards.

1st Place
Thomas Smith
Citizenship: United Kingdom
College: University College London
This proposal for the O'Hare International Airport floats on lake Michigan next to the Iconic Navy Pier downtown Chicago. The design uses pods that passengers can enter and exit at the start of their journey. These pods are loaded into aircraft that use vertical takeoff and landing. The well-thought-out proposal outlines a sustainable and functional design. Judges particularly liked the challenge to the current airport along with thinking about a new type of plane, and were impressed with Smith's clear drawings and good research.


2nd Place and People’s Choice Winner
John Cyril Isaac
Citizenship: Philippines
College: University of Santo Tomas
“The living airport” also known as the “intelligent airport” is equipped with a computer mainframe (brain) ran by an artificial intelligence program. It has the capability to progress itself by developing more adaptive and technically advanced systems. Its sensors in the control tower and different locations in the whole airport synthesizes, analyses, and elicits precise responses and solutions to the most common irregularities or complex concerns.


3rd Place
Jia Hua Yapp
Citizenship: Malaysian
College: Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University
The Heathrow International Airport proposal outlines a new future for the airport, with a focus on accommodating future passenger growth. The design utilizes high speed trains to seamlessly move passengers. Ir integrates drones and advanced technology throughout the airport and incorporates a 5-story urban farming area and green spaces throughout.

People's Choice Winner
Claudio Nieto Rojas
Citizenship: Mexico
College: Architectural Association Collage in London
This entry looks at the connection between cities and airports. The airport and terminal gates surround urban cores that are comprised of civic structures and mixed use buildings.  The proposal takes into account the spatial relationship, security, transportation and modern airport systems.

The jury included Aileen Cho, Senior Editor at Engineering News-Record (ENR); Chester Chipperfield, freelance Creative Director at Boom Supersonic and former Creative Director of Tesla; Curt Fentress, Fentress Architects; David Brody, Founder and Chairman of XTI Aircraft Company; Khaled Naja, Executive Vice President for the Infrastructure & Development Division of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport; Kim Day, CEO of Denver International Airport; Michael McCoy, first recipient of t'/he Smithsonian’s Design Minds National Design Award; and Tom Allett, Editor of Airports International Magazine.