To create something as striking and abstract as the Beijing Daxing International Airport, London-based Zaha Hadid Architects conceived a series of undulating moments that guide passengers to their correct terminals. Nicknamed “starfish” for its radial layout, the passenger terminal spans more than 7.5 million square feet and is arranged around a central hub with five airport piers extending from it—mimicking traditional Chinese architectural principles where interconnected spaces are organized around a courtyard. The compact design minimizes distances between check-in and the terminal’s 79 gates, with the farthest requiring a less than 8-minute walk. To further enhance the experience, the terminal is generously lit thanks to skylights and a vaulted roof, from which six curving forms reach to the ground and direct passengers to the central area.