Amsterdam Schiphol airport has released design plans for a terminal expansion that will increase capacity by 14 million travellers.
The new extension is planned to open in 2023 and will connect to the existing Departure and Arrival Hall 1 while maintaining Schiphol’s single-terminal concept. That single-terminal layout is widely praised for its clarity and ease of navigation.
Dutch practice KAAN Architecten is the designer of the new building. This marks Schiphol’s first permanent expansion since 1993, when the current Departure Halls 3 and 4 and Arrival Halls 3 and 4 were completed.
KAAN Architecten says its concept draws on the airport’s architectural legacy, especially the 1967 Departures Hall. “The most inspiring architectural and planning DNA at Schiphol for our design team is that of the 1967 Departures Hall,” the firm explains. “That DNA is defined by abundant daylight, simple spatial organization and a strong sense of scale. Materials and construction are deliberately unobtrusive. The repeated elements — rows of columns, information panels, ticket kiosks, façade ribs and ceiling lamps — create a calming rhythm.”
The design prioritises practical performance without sacrificing passenger comfort. “Functionality is paramount,” KAAN adds, “but it is not merely utilitarian. It is carefully considered to support comfort, everyday ease of use and a clear suitability of purpose, producing a natural simplicity.”
Jos Nijhuis, CEO of Schiphol, commented that the design will “contribute to excellent processing, provide optimal support to passengers, advance our sustainability ambitions and remain future-proof.”
The expansion aims to enhance throughput while preserving the intuitive flows that make Schiphol easy to use. Emphasis on daylight, clear sightlines and understated materials is intended to reduce stress and make wayfinding straightforward for travellers. The repeated architectural elements and measured proportions are used to create a predictable environment where orientation feels natural and processing times can be more efficient.
By adding capacity within the single-terminal framework, Schiphol seeks to avoid the complexity and transfer friction that can come with multi-terminal systems. The extension will integrate with existing arrival and departure zones, maintaining short connection distances and visibility between key functions such as check-in, security, retail and boarding gates.
Sustainability is woven into the project brief. The design team and the airport authority highlight durable, low-impact materials, energy-conscious systems and daylight optimisation as ways to reduce operational energy demand and enhance passenger wellbeing. These measures are presented as part of a longer-term strategy to keep the airport resilient to future traffic growth while limiting its environmental footprint.
Operationally, the expansion is expected to streamline passenger flows at peak times and provide more space for security screening, baggage handling and passenger amenities. Improved circulation and added processing capacity should reduce bottlenecks, support higher throughput and improve the overall passenger experience.
As the project moves from design into construction, Schiphol and KAAN Architecten will continue refining details to balance operational needs, passenger comfort and sustainability goals. The resulting expansion aims to respect Schiphol’s historic design cues while delivering modern performance and capacity for the coming decades.