Taipei Taoyuan Airport is Taiwan’s largest and busiest airport, serving Taipei and the northern region. Located about 25 miles west of Taipei, the capital, the airport is commonly known as Taoyuan International Airport and by its IATA code, TPE. It was previously called Chiang Kai-shek International Airport.
© Studio Millspace, Courtesy of RSHP
London-based RSHP Architects has completed a vibrant redesign of the North Concourse in Terminal 3, and the firm will continue working on other sections of Terminal 3 through the project’s anticipated completion in 2027. The refreshed concourse blends structural flexibility with human-centered interior qualities to create a welcoming airport environment.
RSHP’s approach combines the single-span, adaptable volume seen in London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 with the warm, flowing interiors characteristic of Madrid Barajas Terminal 4. For TPE’s Terminal 3, that fusion produced a dynamic and fluid architecture designed to adapt over time without compromising passenger experience or architectural coherence. The building’s form and layout support easy reconfiguration of airport functions while maintaining a consistent, high-quality public realm.
© Studio Millspace, Courtesy of RSHP
The North Concourse design is conceptually simple and inspired by natural movement: the rolling roof references migratory birds that use Taiwan as a resting point. The undulating, translucent roof and its light-diffusing “cloud” ceiling create a range of interior atmospheres that can feel grand or intimate, uniform or dramatic. These adaptable spaces allow activities and layouts to be curated and changed as needs evolve.
Designed to handle about 45 million passengers annually, the terminal’s flexible scale provides clear spatial hierarchy throughout busy and quieter zones alike, improving wayfinding and reducing stress. By emphasizing comfort and well-being, the architecture supports a calmer travel experience and presents an appropriate, contemporary gateway for international visitors to Taiwan.
© Studio Millspace, Courtesy of RSHP
Terminal 3 marks a new generation of airport design for Taoyuan, enhancing the journey for first-time and frequent travelers alike. Arrivals will enjoy the same vibrant environment as departing passengers, while streamlined airside connectivity and simplified circulation aim to reduce minimum connection times to around 40 minutes.
Taiwan’s airport development priorities focus on completing Terminal 3 by 2027 to enable construction of a third runway, upgrading supporting infrastructure such as the A14 Airport MRT station, and pursuing long-term targets: accommodating 83 million passengers, handling 3.85 million metric tons of cargo, and supporting 435,000 aircraft movements by 2045. These plans aim to drive significant economic benefits and strengthen the airport’s role as a major regional hub.