KPLN Reimagines Omsk Airport as a Contemporary Gateway Rooted in History

A new airport design in Omsk by KPLN architectural bureau proposes a considered reworking of a historically defensive form into a modern piece of infrastructure defined by openness, clarity and movement.

The concept draws directly from the idea of the ostrog, the traditional Russian wooden fortress, historically positioned as a protective structure on the edge of settlement. In this project, that reference is not replicated but reinterpreted. The fortress becomes a point of departure rather than containment, transformed into an architectural language that supports flow rather than resistance.

At the centre of the design is a system of inverted conical structures that act as both the terminal’s primary supports and its defining visual element. These cones, constructed from steel columns and tensioned cables, form a hypostyle interior that organises the space with clarity and repetition. Above each sits a glazed lantern, introducing natural light deep into the building and reducing reliance on artificial illumination.

The result is an environment where structure and function operate together. The cones are not decorative, but integral to how the building performs, guiding movement, defining scale and improving spatial legibility for passengers.

This focus on movement is reflected in the terminal’s layout. A two-level configuration simplifies circulation, reducing dependence on escalators and lifts while improving wayfinding. The intention is to create an intuitive passenger journey, where transitions between arrival, departure and transit are straightforward and efficient.

The interior is anchored by a central winter garden, a feature that introduces a contrasting layer to the otherwise structured environment. Spanning over 1,600 square metres and housing more than 25 species of trees, the space references the internal gardens of historical fortresses, where provisions were cultivated during periods of isolation. Here, it functions as a point of pause within the journey, offering both visual relief and environmental benefit.

Seating areas and landscaped elements are integrated around the base of the structural cones, while their surfaces are designed to support lighting and projection, allowing the space to shift in atmosphere throughout the day.

Sustainability is addressed through both form and system. The network of 128 light lanterns provides consistent daylight across key areas, improving energy efficiency while enhancing comfort. The building’s transparency and material choices contribute to this, ensuring that light, rather than artificial intervention, defines the internal environment.

The project also responds to wider urban considerations. The relocation of the airport, approximately 27 kilometres from the city centre, addresses long-standing issues associated with the current site, including noise pollution and restrictions on urban development. The new terminal integrates directly with rail infrastructure via a covered connection, while parking facilities are positioned discreetly within a landscaped canopy that functions as an extension of the public realm.

What KPLN presents is not an airport designed around spectacle, but one built on clarity of concept and execution. The historical reference provides structure, but the outcome is firmly contemporary, focused on how infrastructure can operate more efficiently while remaining connected to place.

In repositioning a symbol of defence as one of movement, the project reflects a broader shift in how architecture engages with history, not by preserving form, but by redefining its purpose.