The Pampanga airport is one of the two in Southeast Asia that made it to the list.
The Prix Versailles is an annual series of architectural competitions at UNESCO, awarding structures since 2015.
One of the global categories is for airports. Clark International Airport was actually among the top six finalists in 2021. Prix Versailles only recently updated the official list on its website to reflect this feat.
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The website also states that the official list pays tribute to “innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and the values of social interaction and participation, which the United Nations holds in high regard.”
“We are thrilled that CRK holds the distinction of a Laureate, among Prix Versailles list of the World’s Most Beautiful Airports, being a finalist of this Award in 2021,” the Pampanga airport stated on Facebook.
“Fueled with this honor, CRK remains committed to ensuring that our passengers’ travel experience keeps getting better.”
Global design firm Populous worked with local architect Casas+Architects to create the airport.
“The vision of Populous for CRK is to create a new terminal that is international in its standards and operations, but local in terms of its materiality and sense of place,” the design firm said.
“Populous drew inspiration from this to select a material palette that nods towards that vibrancy. Passenger experience is at the heart of the design and it will offer a fresh new experience each time someone visits.”
CRK can accommodate eight million passengers annually, with its structures that span 110,000 square meters, four floors, and 18 bridges.
Banner image via Instagram @clarkairport_official.