The Gelephu International Airport is conceived as the gateway to Bhutan’s new Gelephu Mindfulness City, with an initial capacity of 1.3 million passengers annually and a modular design that allows the airport to expand alongside the city’s future growth. 
 
Inspired by Bhutan’s Himalayan landscape, forests and architectural heritage, the airport combines a modular timber structure with traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship and contemporary airport infrastructure. Carved timber elements and sloped roofs reinterpret vernacular building traditions at the scale of a modern international terminal, creating a distinct architectural identity rooted in its local context. 
 
Sustainability and passenger experience are central to the design. Natural ventilation, shaded façades and landscaped courtyards respond to the local climate while bringing daylight, greenery and nature throughout the terminal. The use of local timber and traditional craft further connects the building to Bhutanese culture, balancing the complex functional requirements of an international airport with an architecture centered on nature, craftsmanship and a sense of place. The airport is scheduled to commence operations in December 2029.