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Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
The World's Most Beautiful Airports for 2025
Ema Peter Finding beauty in the airport may sound more like a philosophical experiment than a realistic travel experience, but the most innovative terminals of today are prioritizing architecture and aesthetics as integral elements of their design. Every year, the Prix Versailles architecture awards highlights the most beautiful new airport terminals around the world. Beyond just visual appearances, the prize also aims to recognize intelligent sustainability in airport design. Modern airports 'must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves,' Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, said in a statement. 'This new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty.' The six airports that made the 2025 Prix Versailles list harness design elements that evoke the serenity of nature while incorporating innovations to limit carbon output. In December, three of the airports will be selected to win the even more prestigious Prix Versailles World Title. Below are the six most architecturally stunning new airports of 2025, including two of the best airports in the US. China's Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2 Yantai's seaside landscapes were the inspiration for the new terminal at the city's international airport. The building's large undulating roof was inspired by nearby Kunyu Mountain, and its interior curves and stone were designed to mimic the region's scenic coastline. Skylights are interspersed throughout the structure, designed to guide passengers to the departure gates. At the terminal's apex, a glazed diagrid dome sits above a multi-story atrium, allowing natural light to filter down through the building. Abstract interpretations of wooden ships' hulls are scattered throughout, a nod to the region's Maritime Silk Road history. In order to minimize impact on the surrounding land, the building itself is laid out in an E-shape, which also helps to optimize passenger flow. The 167,000-square-meter terminal building was designed by Aedas along with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute. Opened in June 2024, the new building has increased Yantai airport's total capacity of 23 million passengers per year. Get there: Although the airport is mainly utilized for international flights between China, Korea, and Japan, US travelers can find one-stop routes to Yantai from 11 major US airports with Korean Air. France's Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1 Travelers arriving into Marseille, France (one of Condé Nast Traveler's best places to go in 2025) will find the glamor of Provence now begins at the airport. A new building links the airport's two existing Terminal 1 structures, which were constructed in the 1960s and 1990s. The link, which is called a coeur, or heart in English, is a window-lined hall with soaring, 72-foot ceilings featuring a grid of polished aluminum skylights to promote natural ventilation. The building itself is made of 70% recycled steel and adds 28,000 square meters of space to the airport. A warm French timber canopy encloses the security area, while the terminal's wood-clad shops and restaurants are a visual homage to the boat houses found in the Old Port of Marseille. Floor-to-ceiling windows grant sweeping views of Provence's hills and Marseille's lagoon for an added sense of calm. Foster + Partners, which designed the new building, had an overall goal of 'reorganizing passenger flows through a set of simple, bright, and easy to navigate spaces.' Get there: US fliers can travel to the airport on a one-stop itinerary with Air France from New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Tampa, Austin, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Raleigh, Washington DC, Denver, and Detroit. Réunion Island's Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal A paradise in the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island's newest airport terminal harnesses the isle's tropical nature and frequent trade winds to reduce its carbon footprint. Drawing inspiration from the island's famous green canyons, the bioclimatic airport structure houses a central 'canyon' that acts as a thermal chimney to enable natural ventilation. On the building's exterior, 830 sets of louvered shutters are connected to a series of sensors on the facade. The shutters' angles are adjusted in real time to respond to the island's frequently changing weather conditions. This also creates a low-pressure system that extracts the interior air, according to AIA Life Designers, the architecture firm behind the project. Inside the arrivals hall, travelers will get a taste of the island's natural wonders as soon as they step off the plane, thanks to the extensive use of wood throughout the building, as well as lush native vegetation throughout. Get there: Réunion Island is an official department of France, and US passengers can fly to Réunion on one-stop itineraries with Air France from 14 American gateway cities. Japan's Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Adding a new building to Osaka's Kansai Airport was no simple feat. Built by renowned architect Renzo Piano on an artificial island, the existing facility is known as a paragon of innovation and high taste. But the airport's new Terminal 1 building managed to live up to that illustrious legacy. The new interior spaces were designed with a palette of natural materials to give the space 'a distinctly Japanese feel,' according to architecture firm Populous. The international departure lounge and retail area is now 60% larger with a commercial section that includes 13 stores and a street food court that features Japanese staples like ramen, udon, and plenty of sushi shops, as well as upscale chains like a Dior café. It's hard to imagine better airport food than that! Another addition is a new security area that has faster smart lanes, which can process up to 6,000 passengers per hour. 'The new queuing management system is the first of its kind in Japan, automatically controlling flapper gates to switch waiting lines by utilizing real-time passenger flow data,' says Populous. 'The system enables passengers to be automatically guided to the security inspection lanes based on the number of passengers and their flow.' The project has increased the terminal's annual passenger capacity by a significant 25%, and it opened just in time to accommodate millions of travelers visiting Osaka for the 2025 World Expo. Get there: For American travelers looking to visit Osaka, United Airlines operates nonstop flights to Kansai International Airport from San Francisco, Japan Airlines flies a nonstop route from Los Angeles, and Hawaiian Airlines has nonstop flights from Honolulu. Portland International Airport Main Terminal Portland's new terminal brings the beauty of the Pacific Northwest indoors by emulating Oregon's lush forests. In fact, architecture firm ZGF said the terminal's design concept was inspired by walks in the forest, with the goal of creating a similarly immersive and calming experience for passengers. The most distinctive feature is the building's wave-like roof made of nine acres of local Oregon timber, sourced from landowners and mills within 300 miles of the airport, including community forests practicing sustainable forestry. The terminal follows the concept of biophilia, or the tendency for humans to seek out nature. Main walkways throughout the terminal are filled with sunlight and greenery: There are 72 large trees inside the building that stretch up to 25 feet tall, as well as 5,000 other green plants sprouting throughout the space. The timber roof slats diffuse light in a similar manner as a forest canopy, and 60% of the terminal is bathed by natural light. In the concessions hall, local purveyors like Blue Star Donuts + Coffee, Mo's Seafood & Chowder, and Powell's Books contribute to the strong sense of place. There's even a microcinema showcasing short films by local filmmakers. The new terminal is designed to double the airport's capacity and accommodate 35 million passengers a year by 2045. Get there: Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for Alaska Airlines, and a focus city for other major US carriers like Delta, American, and United. San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1 SFO's newest building sports some impressive statistics, but they have nothing to do with passenger numbers. Rather, it's the respectable size of the facility's carbon footprint that is awe-inspiring. The recent in-depth renovation has shrunk the building's carbon output by 79% and reduced its overall energy usage by 59%. Other impressive numbers include a waste diversion rate of over 90% and a 50% reduction in potable water use. Efficient design elements such as fritted glass for glare reduction, photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof, and a low-carbon baggage handling system all added up to create major results. The architectural teams at Gensler and Kuth Ranieri even installed two plumbing systems to separate non-potable water to be used in flushing fixtures and for landscaping. But amid all of these reductions, passengers don't have to sacrifice any aspect of comfort. The terminal has spacious skylights throughout for doses of sunlight as well as creative design touches to highlight San Francisco's unique arts and crafts style. The building is also home to the SFO museum, which is the world's only accredited museum inside an airport. Get there: Alaska Airlines is the largest domestic carrier operating out of SFO's Harvey Milk Terminal 1. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines also offer flights. Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide Solve the daily Crossword
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
World's most beautiful airports revealed – this is the only European one that made the list
THE world's most beautiful airports have been announced and the list features just one one in Europe. Located in France, Marseille Provence Airport is 16 miles northwest of the city and is a hub airport for many prominent airlines including Ryanair and Air France . 6 Located in France, Marseille Provence Airport has been named as one of the most beautiful airports in the world Credit: Marseille Provence Airport 6 The airport was designed by the famous architect who was also behind London's Gherkin - Foster + Partners Credit: Marseille Provence Airport And now the architecture . Designed by the famous architect - who was also behind London's The impressive hall is 22m tall and was made using 70 per cent recycled steel. Skylights allow sunlight into the hall too. Read more on travel inspo The design was created to be in keeping with the original 1960s terminal and further development in the 1990s. When travellers get to the airport, they will go through security which is located under a canopy. Shops and restaurants also feature lots of wood to reference the boat houses of the Old Port of This part of the airport opened in July last year, and today the airport handles over nine million passengers each year to approximately 100 destinations. Most read in News Travel Other airports that feature on the list include an airport on an island in the Indian Ocean. Incredible 'airport of the future' revealed - with no queues or long waits The arrivals terminal at Roland Garros Airport on Essentially, a giant chimney-like structure draws hot air up and out of the airport and allows natural breezes to cool the building. The terminal also features lots of plants that are native to the island. Elsewhere, Yantai Penglai International Airport in Japan , Portland International Airport in the USA and San Francisco International Airport in the Three of the five airports listed as the most beautiful in the world will also receive a World Title - Prix Versailles, Interior or Exterior - which will be awarded in December. 6 Other airports that feature on the list include Roland Garros Airport on Réunion Island Credit: Studio Lumière 6 San Francisco International Airport in the USA was also named Credit: Jason O'Rear 6 And so was Portland International Airport, Main Terminal in the USA Credit: Ema Peter An 'airport of the future' design has also recently been revealed – with no queues, no connections and no more long waits for luggage. Plans involve the main idea that passengers would no longer need to walk to their gate. Instead, plane cabins will come to the passengers to pick up them up and take them directly to the plane. The vision created by Jovari Jetspeed promises to cut "millions of hours and billions of wasted dollars" from air travel. Plus, a first look at an incredible new £3billion airport upgrade in a tiny country has been revealed. Full list of the world's most beautiful airports Yantai Penglai International Airport - Terminal 2 in Yantai, China Marseille Provence Airport, Terminal 1 in Marignane, France Roland Garros Airport, Arrivals Terminal on Réunion Island, France Kansai International Airport, Terminal 1 in Osaka, Japan Portland International Airport, Main Terminal in Portland, United States San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 1 in San Francisco, United States 6 Three of the five airports listed as the most beautiful in the world will also receive a World Title Credit: Marseille Provence Airport
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Essential estate planning: how property owners can ensure smooth asset transfer after death
Nestled in the quiet, family-oriented Dunbar neighbourhood, this beautiful home redefines contemporary living. Image: Ema Peter Photography Property owners must plan for death and taxes if they want their home and other assets to pass smoothly to those surviving them. Renier Kriek, managing director at Sentinel Homes, says structuring one's estate smartly, or at least having a will in place, will spare those grieving a relative's passing further hardship, both emotional and financial. He said when planning for death, property owners need to consider two main factors. The first is how to structure their estate so they don't directly own anything when they die. This is usually only appropriate for those with large estates and minor dependents, or businesspeople who risk having their assets attached to repay creditors, but may not be the best tax planning advice for most consumers. The second concern is their marital status. Are they single, married in community of property, or married out of community of property, either with or without accrual? He said each marriage model will affect the distribution of an estate differently. Sentinel Homes said any decision a property holder makes in this regard should be guided by advice from a professionally qualified financial and estate advisor. The alternative home financier said without a will, intestate rules apply to the deceased estate, as prescribed by the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987. It said these rules determine which surviving relatives will inherit what portion of the estate, from the surviving spouse and descendants down to distant blood relatives. The company said the Act's complex requirements could result in, for example, a spouse losing their family home to ensure they and each child receives an equal inheritance. So, Kriek said, for anyone having assets such as homes or other fixed property and especially those property owners who have dependents, it is always best to have a will professionally drawn up to make sure assets will be distributed in a manner desired by the property owner. 'Again, the marriage model will affect how the will should be structured,' says Kriek. 'Estate planning with a licensed and regulated professional is also likely to include investments and insurance, proper planning of which remains essential.' The MD said that avoiding direct property ownership while still enjoying the benefit of owning property can be accomplished through the use of a trust or company. However, he said the cost of these vehicles makes them best suited to more affluent people who have larger estates and minor dependents, or entrepreneurs. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He said if property is transferred to or bought through one of these entities, the entity owns the asset. So, dying is of no consequence if one's dependents are the ultimate beneficial owners of the entity, such as through being beneficiaries of a trust. The property held by a trust or company rather than in a person's own name will not be subject to estate tax or capital gains tax at death, and typically cannot be attached by the deceased's creditors. Only income that is earned through that property is taxed at a rate prescribed for the specific type of entity, in addition to capital gains tax if the entity elects to sell the property concerned. 'Which structure is best suited to an individual's needs must be determined with the help of a trusted estate planner or financial manager,' Kriek said. 'Do not assume that the more complicated structure, using entities such as trusts and companies, is 'better' and therefore the most appropriate one.' Sentinel Homes said that unfortunately, structuring cannot save a property that surviving family members are unable to afford, whether it is bond repayments, rates or levies, trust administration fees, corporate accounting fees, or other expenses. It said this could happen if a surviving spouse does not work and cannot raise the required finances to settle existing debt against the family home or other property. The company said an estate might be able to cover its own costs, for example, where income is derived from rental properties or the entity receives cash bequests from the deceased person. Otherwise, a will, trust or company should be backed by some form of insurance that ensures funds are available after the owner's death. 'By following this rough guide and using a properly qualified and licensed financial planner, you will allow your loved ones to continue enjoying the life you worked so hard to provide them with,' Kriek said. According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's website, if one dies without leaving a valid will, their estate will devolve in terms of the rules of intestate succession, as stipulated in the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act (Act 81 of 1987). In case of a marriage in community of property, one half of the estate belongs to the surviving spouse and, although it forms part of the joint estate, will not devolve according to the rules of intestate succession. According to the department, all deceased estates will be distributed in terms of the Intestate Succession Act. This means that the beneficiaries in order of preference are the spouse of the deceased, descendants of the deceased, the parents of the deceased (only if the deceased died without a surviving spouse or descendants, the siblings of the deceased (only if one or both parents are predeceased). The department also says that the Intestate Succession Act should be read in such a way that it can accommodate cases where the deceased was a husband in polygamous customary union when the deceased left only spouses and no descendants, the wives will inherit the estate in equal shares. When the deceased left spouses and descendants, the spouses and descendants will inherit the estate in equal shares, but each wife should inherit at least R250 000. When the estate is not large enough to allow each wife to inherit R250 000, the spouses will inherit the estate in equal shares while the descendants will not receive anything. After the decision, deceased estates will all be administered in terms of the Administration of Estates Act. [Act 66 of 196 (as amended)]. This implies the following changes to current practice: the magistrates will no longer supervise and administer deceased estates; only the Master of the High Court will do so. The Master of the High Court does not have the power to administer estates on behalf of beneficiaries. The Master will appoint a suitable person to administer the estate. Independent Media Property
