Vilnius Airport Arrivals Terminal, Lithuania
© Zaha Hadid Architects | Photo by Negativ
Curated by Archirev Editorial | Feature Story | Published Nov 7th 2025
Source: Zaha Hadid Architects
PROJECT TYPOLOGY: TRANSPORT/PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Project name: Vilnius Airport Arrivals Terminal
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Design Lead: Patrik Schumacher
Project Directors: Gianluca Racana, Ludovico Lombardi, Michele Salvi, Cristiano Ceccato
Engineering & Sustainability: Tyréns Group (Lithuania, Sweden, International)
Status: Competition Win (November 07, 2025)
Client: Lithuanian Airports
Primary Systems: Hybrid ventilation, PV integration, modular timber roof
Photography / Renders: © Zaha Hadid Architects /Renders by Negativ
Another triumph for Zaha Hadid Architects! On November 06, 2025, the studio was announced as the winner of the international competition to design Vilnius Airport’s new arrivals terminal, adding yet another landmark to their ever-expanding portfolio of transformative public architecture.
ZHA’s winning proposal for Vilnius Airport achieves a high level of functionality and passenger experience while delivering innovative architectural solutions that connect the airport’s contemporary and future infrastructure to Lithuania’s cultural identity, creating an exemplary gateway for all visitors.
The design strikes a balance between these priorities, offering an architectural clarity that provides a modern expression of arrival, both practical and culturally resonant.
Exterior render showing new arrivals terminal integrated with historic Terminal 1 © Zaha Hadid Architects/render by Negativ
A New Gateway for Lithuania
Positioned at the crossroads of air, rail, and road networks, the new arrivals terminal strengthens Vilnius Airport’s role as a regional transport hub. Supporting the recent completion of the airport’s departure terminal, the new arrivals building will enable Vilnius Airport to serve up to 10.6 million passengers annually, accommodating continued growth in air travel demand.
The project is part of a long-term masterplan that unites Vilnius Airport’s historic Terminal 1, the new departures hall, and the forthcoming arrivals terminal into a cohesive ensemble. As Lithuania’s primary international gateway, the new arrivals building does more than welcome passengers; it introduces them to the country’s evolving architectural identity.
Aerial view showing integration with the neighbourhood © Zaha Hadid Architects/render by Negativ.
Architectural Concept: Exterior Inspired by Heritage, Interiors by Sodai Straw Gardens
ZHA’s design draws from Lithuanian cultural heritage, incorporating traditional motifs and art forms within a contemporary architectural language. The terminal’s modular geometry originates from the rhombus, a triangular shape that holds deep significance in Baltic folklore, lending the building a culturally and visually resonant form.
Exterior render highlighting modular rhombus geometry © Zaha Hadid Architects/render by Negativ
ZHA’s proposal for the interior design draws inspiration from Lithuania’s traditional “sodai” straw gardens, intricate geometric ornaments recognized by UNESCO as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. These pleated timber roof, crafted from locally sourced wood, feature triangular geometric structures traditionally associated with well-being and celebration. ZHA translates this heritage into the interior spatial experience, where light, texture, and form evoke the delicacy and interconnectedness of the sodai, creating a uniquely immersive arrival environment.
Interior render showing pleated timber roof © Zaha Hadid Architects/render by Negativ
Passenger Experience and Spatial Clarity
Every element of the design serves both aesthetic coherence and intuitive navigation. Natural light guides passengers seamlessly from aircraft gates to arrival halls, while clear sightlines and spatial symmetry enhance orientation.
A central concourse links directly to the Airport Plaza, the heart of a new multi-modal transport interchange connecting air, rail, and road networks. Passengers experience a gradual transition from enclosed, timber-lined interiors to panoramic views of Vilnius and its surrounding landscapes.
Aerial view showing integration with Airport Plaza and transport connections© Zaha Hadid Architects/render by Negativ
Environmental Strategy and Sustainable Systems
Targeting an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM certification, the arrivals terminal integrates a range of passive and active design strategies. Its modular timber structure and high-performance envelope reduce embodied carbon while mitigating heat gain in summer and retaining warmth in winter. A high-performance double-insulated glazing system works in tandem with hybrid natural ventilation and adaptive building systems that monitor passenger flows, automatically adjusting to optimize energy use.
On-site renewable energy is provided by over 13,000 m² of photovoltaic panels across the terminal and its surrounding facilities. The design also incorporates rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, and greywater recycling through natural filtration and storage, reducing demand on municipal networks and supporting sustainable operations.
Roof detail showing natural light filtering through skylights© Zaha Hadid Architects
The Future of Arrival
The Vilnius Airport Arrivals Terminal represents more than an infrastructural expansion; it is a reimagining of what an airport can be. By merging heritage, sustainability, and intelligent design, Zaha Hadid Architects have crafted a space that speaks to both the poetry of arrival and the pragmatism of modern travel.
As passengers step into the timber-lit concourse, Lithuania’s cultural legacy and future ambitions intersect, creating a sense of welcome that is both timeless and forward-looking.
The New Arrivals Wing © Zaha Hadid Architects | Photo by Negativ
Project Credits
Project: Vilnius Airport Arrivals Terminal
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Client: Lithuanian Airports
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design Principal: Patrik Schumacher
ZHA Project Directors: Gianluca Racana, Ludovico Lombardi, Michele Salvi, Cristiano Ceccato (Aviation Director)
ZHA Project Associate: Davide Del Giudice
ZHA Project Architects: Luca Ruggeri, Cristina Barrios Cabrera (ZHA Aviation Team)
ZHA Project Team: Maria Lagging, Gizem Muhtaroglu, Louai Jaber, Sevval Alp
ZHA Sustainability Team: Bahaa Alnassrallah, Abhilash Menon, Aleksander Mastalski, Jing Xu,
Shibani Choudhury, Disha Shetty, Aditya Ambare
ZHA Space Planning Team: Ulrich Blum, Danial Haziq Hamdan
ZHA Modelmaker: Adam Twigger
ZHA Acquisitions: Marcella Fedele, Lenie Mets
Engineering Consultants: Tyréns Lithuania, Tyréns Sweden, Tyréns Group (International)
Visuals: Negativ – Brano Marsalek