Clark International Airport (CRK) has earned the global recognition from Prix Versailles, the World Architecture and Design Award at UNESCO, for being one of the world’s most beautiful airports. Among the 24 airports included on the list, CRK stands out as one of the two representatives from Southeast Asia, exemplifying “exceptional architecture and design.” The other one is Van Don International Airport in Vietnam.
According to prix-versailles.com, the World's Most Beautiful recognition “highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.” Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.
Noel Manankil, President and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD), the airport's operator, expressed the immense honor and humility the recognition brings. He also stated that it serves as an inspiration to continue providing Filipinos with a world-class airport experience.
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Other airports in the list are Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Chile, Beijing Daxing International Airport in China, Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in China, Eagle County Regional Airport in the United States, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Greece, General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport in Mexico, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland, Kempegowda International Airport in India, LaGuardia Airport in the United States, Los Angeles International Airport in the United States, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the United States, Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom, Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand, Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the United States, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China, Split Airport in Croatia, Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport in Greece, Turkistan International Airport in Turkistan, and Van Don International Airport in Vietnam.
In 2021, CRK emerged as one of the top six finalists in the esteemed Prix Versailles Architecture and Design Awards under the Airport Category, earning its rightful place on the current list of distinguished airports.
Teri Flores, the Corporate Communications Head of LIPAD Corporation, shares that when the nomination arrived in 2021, it came as a tremendous surprise and honor. At that time, the airport wasn’t even operational yet. She added, “Being acknowledged as a Prix Versailles Laureate and recognized as one of the World's Most Beautiful Airports is an enduring honor. It extends beyond CRK; I believe it reflects positively on the entire country.”
In operation since May 2, 2022, the four-level terminal at Clark International Airport spans an impressive 110,000 square meters and boasts the capacity to serve 8 million passengers annually.
The terminal offers a range of exceptional features, including a dedicated lounge designed for overseas Filipino workers, walk-through commercial spaces, the inclusion of gender-neutral restrooms, and the provision of elevators and escalators at every boarding gate.
Populous, the lead interior designer and retail planner for the terminal, placed a strong emphasis on enhancing the passenger experience, ensuring it was at the core of their design.
"The interior design of the new terminal is anchored on the color palette and geographical features of the surrounding region," offers Flores, "greens from the Central Luzon plains, blues from the Mt. Pinatubo Lake and Manila Bay, undulating shape of the Zambales mountain range, grays from the caves and rock formations around the region."