UNESCO'S 2023 PRIX VERSAILLES - AWARDS
News: Kempegowda
International Airport T2, one of the world’s most beautiful airports, wins
special prize at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles
What's in the news?
● Terminal
2 (T2) of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been awarded
the Special Prize for an Interior at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles Awards.
Key takeaways:
● Kempegowda
International Airport (KIA), Bangalore
is the only Indian airport to receive this award.
Prix Versailles Awards:
● The
Prix Versailles awards were established in 2015.
● It
is announced each year at UNESCO.
Features:
● The
award is given for outstanding achievements in architecture and design on a global scale.
● The
award focuses on intelligent sustainability as a cultural driver, acknowledging
innovation and creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency
and values of social interaction.
Why was Terminal 2 (T2) of Kempegowda International
Airport (KIA) given this award?
● T2
called a “Terminal in a Garden” was
inaugurated in 2022.
● The
terminal can accommodate 25 million passengers annually.
● The
terminal features a spacious indoor garden with waterfalls and hanging planted
bells enhancing its aesthetics.
● It
had previously earned the prestigious
IGBC platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council.
○ Green
building rating brings together a host of sustainable practices and solutions
to reduce the environmental impacts.
● It
is also the world’s largest terminal
pre-certified with a platinum LEED rating by the US Green Building Council
(UGBC) even before commencing operations, reflecting its sustainable design.