Schiphol announces new 'in-house architects'
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- Date
- April 20, 2026
Schiphol Airport is working on a large-scale renewal. In late 2024, an architectural selection was launched amidst significant international interest for contributions to the master plan, aimed at improving the quality of the airport and providing more space and comfort for travelers. A final team of in-house architects has now been selected, consisting of Paul de Ruiter Architects, LVZJA (Luis Vidal + Architects and ZJA), KAAN Architecten, and Beacon (Benthem Crouwel Architects and NACO).
Schiphol was originally designed as a ‘one-terminal’ airport with a compact, clear layout and short check-in and transfer times. With the growth in passenger numbers over recent decades, these original qualities—long defining the character of the airport—have gradually faded into the background. In the coming years, large parts of the terminal will be renewed, with the aim of gradually restoring Schiphol’s position among the top three European hub airports in terms of quality.
For the execution, Schiphol is working with a team of in-house architects, each responsible for a specific part of the airport. Paul de Ruiter Architects is in charge of one of the four airport areas, including the departure halls, baggage halls, and security and customs filters. LVZJA (Luis Vidal + architects and ZJA) is responsible for Schiphol Plaza, the lounges, piers, gates and flow areas, as well as the landside passenger areas and parking facilities. KAAN Architecten has been appointed as lead architect for the overarching design vision, and Beacon (Benthem Crouwel Architects and NACO), which has a long-standing relationship with Schiphol, is involved as airport consultant, supporting the teams with technical and airport-specific expertise.
In the implementation of the new masterplan, Schiphol will work from a single design vision, ensuring that all plans are developed according to a consistent and recognisable architectural style. Passenger experience, functionality, and quality are central, so that the renewed areas align well with what travellers need. At the same time, attention is paid to costs, maintenance, modular construction, and sustainability, ensuring that buildings and facilities remain in good condition in the long term.
The next phase focuses on the conceptual development of the ‘Area Development Plans.’ This will lay the foundation for a shared design identity and spatial coherence across Schiphol.
Press release Schiphol: https://news.schiphol.com/schiphol-selects-new-in-house-architects/