The Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)-designed Terminal 2 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai has opened.

One of the largest architectural firms in the world, SOM’s portfolio includes iconic buildings such as Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Willis Tower in Chicago.

Developed by GVK, the new terminal adds an additional 4.4 million square feet to the airport. Terminal 2 will feature a combination of international and domestic services, and is expected to accommodate 40 million passengers per year, double the number of those served with the previous terminal.

The design of the terminal is inspired by traditional Indian pavilions. A central processing podium — or headhouse — is stacked on the four-storey terminal, with modular concourses below. There are three symmetrical concourses radiating outwards from the central processing core.

“We designed an airport that is intimately connected to its surroundings,” says Roger Duffy, design partner at SOM. “By subtly incorporating regional patterns and textures at all scales, Terminal 2 resonates with a sense of place and serves as a spectacular symbol for India and Mumbai.”

Past the check-in hall is a retail hub that features restaurants and shops, located at the centre of the concourses. Throughout the concourse there are displays of local art and culture.

The new terminal was built near the existing terminal, which remained fully operational throughout construction. As a result, the elongated x-shaped terminal was designed to work around the existing structures and add modular design elements. As a result of this design, services within the terminal have been consolidated, with passenger processing, baggage handling and retail all located at the centre of the terminal.