Design Philosophy:
The architecture of sub-cultures of Ethiopia was used as the organizing element for the design of the Airport Terminal. The name for traditional houses in Addis Ababa is Tukul. The architecture of the tukul consists of a cone shaped roof supported by a main structural column at its center. Sheltered walkways connect the main tukul with open verandahs, cattle barns and small spaces for food storage. The organization of spaces for the Terminal is based on the traditional Ethiopian village and hopes to become an expression of a true gateway to Ethiopia.

Concept:
Labibela is a historic building hewn from a rock on the mid 14th Century. It was built downward into the ground at a time when Gothic Churches which pointed to the sky inspired western church architecture. Ethiopian church architecture was built toward the Earth looking down to the source, the origin. That downward movement - influenced by gravity - was the main form generator, a form that causes people to “look down.”

Program:

• Airport terminal
• Control tower
• Master plan - runway and other accessory facilities to the air travel services.