The 2025 Prix Versailles awards have unveiled the world's seven most architecturally beautiful airports, showcasing exceptional design that goes far beyond basic travel functionality. Presented by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, these awards recognize airports that successfully combine innovative architecture, passenger comfort, and sustainable design principles. Leading this prestigious list is China's Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2, which has captured global attention for its coastal-inspired architectural excellence.

Modern airports have evolved into architectural destinations in their own right, emphasizing creative design elements that reflect local culture while prioritizing environmental sustainability. These award-winning terminals demonstrate how airports can transform from mere transit points into immersive experiences that celebrate regional heritage and innovative engineering.

Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 in China claims the top position with its remarkable 167,000 square meter design. Created by Aedas in collaboration with CSWADI and Shanghai New Era Airport Design, the terminal draws inspiration from its coastal location and the ever-shifting Kunyu Mountain. The building features a distinctive undulating roof that mirrors the mountain's natural contours, while strategically placed skylights throughout the structure guide passengers toward their departure gates. At the terminal's center, a stunning glazed dome crowns a multi-story atrium, flooding the entire space with natural light and creating an airy, welcoming atmosphere for travelers.

France's Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1 secured second place following an extensive transformation that celebrates both modern design principles and deep French cultural heritage. Spanning approximately 20,000 square meters, the terminal showcases an inverted beam roof structure and features a 22-meter-long hall framed with recycled metal windows. The design incorporates a 72-foot ceiling adorned with an aluminum skylight grid that promotes natural ventilation throughout the space. Drawing heavy inspiration from Marseille's maritime character, the terminal features timber canopies and wooden facades reminiscent of traditional boat houses in the Old Port. The centerpiece is a vast connecting hall that bridges the old and new terminal sections.

Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal in Reunion Islands ranks third with its commitment to environmental sustainability and local cultural integration. The terminal stands out for its use of 70% recycled steel and 830 adjustable louvers that automatically adapt to changing climatic conditions. Inspired by Reunion Island's lush green ravines and canyon-like geological structures, the entire airport functions as a natural ventilation system. The interior design welcomes travelers with native plant installations and warm-toned wood finishes that bring the tropical environment indoors, creating an experience that extends beyond typical customs procedures.

Japan's Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 holds fourth place as an enduring engineering marvel built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Originally designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the terminal's recent renovations carefully preserve its illustrious architectural legacy while incorporating new layers of innovation and elegance. The interior expansions utilize natural materials to achieve a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, with foreign lounges and retail areas now 60% larger to accommodate 13 stores, a comprehensive food court, and upscale coffee establishments. Passengers can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine including ramen, udon, and sushi. The terminal also features enhanced smart security lanes powered by real-time data processing, capable of handling 6,000 people per hour—a crucial upgrade in preparation for the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Portland International Airport Main Terminal in the United States ranks fifth with its innovative forest-inspired design created by ZGF architects. The terminal creates the aesthetic of a living, breathing forest environment beneath a massive wave-shaped roof constructed from locally sourced timber. This groundbreaking green building design incorporates over 70 fully grown trees and 5,000 plants, establishing a lush, tranquil oasis for passengers amid busy travel scenarios. Based on biophilic design principles, approximately 60% of the main walkways are filled with natural sunlight and vegetation throughout the terminal. The concessions area showcases Oregon culture through local dining options ranging from donuts and seafood chowder to a Powell's Books outpost. The terminal even includes a micro-cinema featuring short films by local creators, transforming layovers and flight delays into engaging cultural experiences.

San Francisco International Airport Main Terminal 1 claims sixth place by setting exceptionally high standards in sustainable airport design. Every aspect of the terminal prioritizes environmental efficiency, with construction processes that reduced carbon emissions by 79%, energy systems that decrease consumption by nearly 60%, and waste management that diverts over 90% of materials from landfills. The building serves as an exemplary model for green infrastructure, equipped with solar panel roofing, low-carbon baggage handling systems, and specialized fritted glass for glare control. Architectural teams from Gensler and Kuth Ranieri developed an innovative dual plumbing system that enables separate handling of potable and non-potable water for flushing fixtures and landscape irrigation. Despite extensive carbon reduction measures, the airport maintains exceptional aesthetic appeal through public art installations, open gallery spaces, and the world's only fully accredited airport museum, making it a showcase of San Francisco's creative identity.

Marrakesh Menara Airport in Morocco rounds out the seventh position, having previously secured recognition in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2021. The airport represents an engineering marvel immersed in traditional Moroccan landscape and architectural heritage. Inspired by classical Islamic geometric art, its most striking feature is the honeycomb-patterned facade that filters sunlight throughout the interior spaces in delicate, artistic patterns. The design seamlessly blends sleek steel and soft stone textures to merge contemporary appeal with historical elements, while expansive glass walls provide comprehensive views of the surrounding landscape. Interior spaces are adorned with arabesque motifs and subtle desert color palettes that resonate with Morocco's medinas and natural landscapes. The terminal offers comprehensive modern amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi, fully equipped business centers with printers, computers, and charging stations to support passengers during layovers. The terminal's design successfully balances functionality with eco-friendliness while offering travelers an authentic window into Morocco's rich cultural heritage and architectural sophistication.

These seven airports demonstrate that modern aviation hubs have evolved far beyond simple transportation facilities. They now serve as architectural statements that blend local cultural identity, environmental responsibility, and passenger comfort into destinations worthy of recognition in their own right, setting new standards for airport design worldwide.