Anand Ramchandran’s Post

10 most beautiful airports in the world

Ten of the Most Beautiful Airports in the World

We are pleased to announce that Kansas City International Airport made the Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List for 2024! This is an architecture award that recognizes newly opened or renovated airports and terminals that have left extraordinary imprints on their environments. Since 2015, the Prix Versailles, announced annually at UNESCO, honors the best contemporary architectural projects worldwide. The Prix Versailles World Jury, representing various disciplines, awards 24 World Titles across categories such as Airports, Campuses, Passenger Stations, Sports, Museums, Emporiums, Hotels, and Restaurants. The Official List celebrates innovation, creativity, local heritage, ecological efficiency, and social values, aligning with the United Nations' principles of intelligent sustainability and consideration of the ecological, social, and cultural impacts of each project. “Infrastructure for air travel is evolving, with an increasing awareness of the eminently cultural role that it plays. Because airports are responsible for visitors’ first impressions, each one is a poster child for its destination. By showcasing cultural assets, an airport’s design and layout can foster a form of tourism in which travellers are encouraged to be respectful and attentive. Preserving a territory’s heritage resources – natural, cultural and social – is vital to developing sustainable tourism. It is commendable that airport communities are at the heart of these changes”, notes Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles. https://lnkd.in/gmy5tvvy

Jewel Changi: A Timeless Icon or Future Relic? Just visited Jewel Changi Airport, and it's everything I dreamed of! The world's best airport truly lives up to the hype. But with technology's rapid pace, will Jewel's beauty remain awe-inspiring in 10 years? Living in Singapore for the past 1.6 years, Jewel has become an iconic landmark. It's a marvel of design and innovation, deserving of world recognition. While it might not be one of the Seven Wonders, it's a wonder nonetheless. So, will Jewel stand the test of time? My bet is yes. While technology will undoubtedly evolve, Jewel's core strengths - stunning design, integration with nature, and focus on user experience - will likely remain timeless. Perhaps future iterations will incorporate new technological marvels, but the essence of Jewel's magic will surely endure. What do you think? Will Jewel remain a futuristic marvel, or will advancements make it feel dated? Share your thoughts in the comments! Changi Airport Group Jewel Changi Airport Video shot and edited by: MOHAMMED OWAIS SHAIKH #Shareyourthoughts #JewelChangiAirport #Singapore #Travel #Architecture #FutureofTravel #Airports

Very Informative article!

I’m writing this post on the way back from vacations in Andalusia. The thing that struck me the most was how monumental the cathedrals and palaces built by both Muslim and Christian rulers are. They stood the test of time and they impress people now as they did centuries ago. At the same time, they must have been (and still are) highly impractical to maintain. That made me think about the evolution of guiding principles for big construction projects. Regardless if we are talking about medieval palaces of Alhambra, renaissance cathedral of Malaga or pavilions built for 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in Sevilla they were all built to impress and show the power and prestige of those who commissioned them long after they are gone. Being practical or easy to maintain wasn’t top of mind. When I look at European mindset right now I see a different paradigm. It’s not that we don’t build spectacular buildings anymore, but focus is more on practical aspect and modularity. Just look at the Olympics. In Europe the focus was to make sure they will pay for themselves and how we can reuse what’s built for them. Airports are another example. Frankfurt Airport is not showcasing how monumental the new Terminal 3 is going to be. They talk about the modular design and how efficient it will be. That’s not the case worldwide though. Outside the western world, brand new airports are often built to impress and it’s okay that they will not be fully utilized for decades. Most new spectacular skyscrapers are also built outside Europe or US. And it’s not only about prestige. Building spectacular constructions often requires pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and sparkle new inventions. It could also be a matter of near term vs long term perspective when making decisions. One makes different decisions with 100 year horizon then with 100 day horizon. Regardless where you stand on this, it’s fascinating to see all the different approaches manifested not only thought out the time but also across different cultures today. (Pictured: bridge in Ronda, Spain. The tallest bridge on Earth at the time it was built)

Arrived in Madrid late last night for a few days of workshops with a key HKA client. Walking through Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez, I was fascinated by the design and architectural details as shown in this photo and was wondering if such an elaborate “look” was necessary for an airport, which is by design a transit hub rather than a destination. According to CRUX Insight, design issues account for a good percentage of claims and disputes on airport projects. With the airport's $2.6bn expansion set to refurbish and expand existing facilities and enhance its role as Europe’s primary gateway to Latin America, it will be interesting to see how design risks are mitigated. What are your thoughts on airport design and its impact on project claims and disputes? #airportdesign

✨ Behind the Magic at Royal Mansour, Where Wishes Are Granted and Humans Stay Unseen ✨ Many believe true luxury lies in white-gloved staff anticipating your every need. At Royal Mansour, I discovered something more fascinating: a hidden world where tradition meets innovation. Beneath the surface of this stunning Moroccan retreat lies a network of underground tunnels and cutting-edge technology orchestrating seamless service. Staff move silently through hidden corridors, ensuring no request goes unnoticed. Smart sensors adjust the climate before you enter a room. And while traditional Moroccan architecture takes center stage, it's the invisible systems that create an otherworldly experience. Yet, here's the magic: despite the high-tech infrastructure, the experience feels deeply human—like genies from ancient tales silently granting every wish. This isn't about replacing the human touch but empowering people to deliver dreams that feel impossible. 💡 True luxury? It's not seeing the hard work behind the perfection. What's your most memorable experience of technology enhancing (not replacing) human service? I'd love to hear your stories! #LuxuryHospitality #Innovation #CustomerExperience #ServiceExcellence #HotelTechnology #Morocco

🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 I’m thrilled to share that we’ve just unveiled Gaia—our cutting-edge, immersive virtual visualization of a luxury habitat! This project has been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more proud of the collaboration that made it all possible. A huge shoutout to Alina Valcarce from Valcarce Architects—her vision and creativity were absolutely key in bringing this project to life. The synergy between our teams was seamless, and it truly helped us push the boundaries of what’s possible in virtual, real estate visualization. Gaia is not just a project—it’s a glimpse into the future of luxury living and glumping. Imagine stepping into your dream space before it's even built, exploring every detail in an immersive, interactive experience. This is more than visualization; it’s a revolution in how we experience space, and we can’t wait to see how it transforms the way people buy, design, and imagine homes. The 2024 Stakeholder Conference was the perfect stage for our first public presentation of Gaia, and we were beyond excited to have Emanuel Erdem, the founder of Virtuelle, showcase our work. The feedback we received was incredible, and we are already looking forward to the next steps and future partnerships that will take such projects even further. #Gaia #ImmersiveDesign #VirtualReality #RealEstateInnovation #LuxuryLiving #FutureOfRealEstate #ArchitecturalVisualization #Collaboration #StakeholderConference2024 #VirtualRealEstate #InnovationInDesign #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #NextGenArchitecture #ValcarceArchitects #Virtuelle

We asked Smartians about their favorite tourist destinations, and here’s what they said. What’s your favorite destination? Let's know in the comment section. #WorldTourismDay2024 #WeAreSmartSoC #Engineering #Design