TRIBHUVAN AIRPORT

Located within the dense residential fabric of Kathmandu, the Tribhuvan Airport is one of the most significant domestic and international airports, connecting Nepal to multiple locations across the world. Catering to a large number of crowds daily, this airport is also a point of commencement for tourists voyaging Mount Everest. Originally established in 1949, the airport was known as the Gauchaur Airport, due to its location near the Gaucharan Meadows, which means 'a grazing area for cows.'

The political scenario was such that the Rana dynasty had a strong alignment with the British since 1857, which was opposed by many other kingdoms in Nepal. In 1950, King Tribhuvan sought refuge in India, while many revolutions were taking place against the Rana regime within the country. The Nepali Congress overthrew the Ranas, and in 1951, King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal as the new monarch. In memory of the King, his grandson, the then King Mahendra renamed the Gauchaur Airport as Tribhuvan Airport in 1955. The establishment of the official Department of Civil Aviation in 1957 led to enhanced connectivity of the Tribhuvan airport with other cities in the world, and it gained the status of an International airport in 1964.

Tribhuvan airport is an example of modern architecture in Nepal built during the 60s and 70s that attempted to be critically regional by using an RCC framework infilled with locally sourced bricks. The building sports an inclined waffle shaped facade that brings in natural lights and ventilation, with the white paint designed to reflect natural light into the entrance waiting areas. The meticulous artificial lighting complements the facade created by the waffle patterns at night, creating a play of varying shadows throughout the day and night.

References

CAAN - Home, https://caanepal.gov.np/ Accessed 14 August 2024.
Tribhuvan International airport, https://www.tiairport.com.np/ Accessed 14 August 2024.
संस्कृति, पर्यटन तथा नागरिक उड्डयन मन्त्रालय, https://www.tourism.gov.np/ Accessed 14 August 2024.

Lighting patterns created by the waffle-shaped ceiling in the interiors
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Simple Interiors with artificial lighting
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Artificial lights reflected into the lobby due to simple white-painted walls
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Surrounding context of the Tribhuvan Airport, where the waffle-shaped building is highlighted
(Source: Drawn by Grishma Karle (Student, SEA))

The surrounding buildings and residences offer a panoramic view of the airport runway, as it is raised at a considerable height from the original ground level
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

TRIBHUVAN AIRPORT

Lighting patterns created by the waffle-shaped ceiling in the interiors (Source: Rupali Gupte)

Simple Interiors with artificial lighting (Source: Rupali Gupte)

Artificial lights reflected into the lobby due to simple white-painted walls (Source: Rupali Gupte)

Surrounding context of the Tribhuvan Airport, where the waffle-shaped building is highlighted (Source: Drawn by Grishma Karle (Student, SEA))

The surrounding buildings and residences offer a panoramic view of the airport runway, as it is raised at a considerable height from the original ground level (Source: Rupali Gupte)

Lighting patterns created by the waffle-shaped ceiling in the interiors
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Simple Interiors with artificial lighting
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Artificial lights reflected into the lobby due to simple white-painted walls
(Source: Rupali Gupte)

Surrounding context of the Tribhuvan Airport, where the waffle-shaped building is highlighted
(Source: Drawn by Grishma Karle (Student, SEA))

The surrounding buildings and residences offer a panoramic view of the airport runway, as it is raised at a considerable height from the original ground level
(Source: Rupali Gupte)