Al-Salam Airport and Al-Salam Gateway will be a vibrant oasis of heritage and progress… Damascus’s western gateway.
Design Vision
The proposed Peace Airport in Damascus is envisioned as a symbol of renewal, resilience, and continuity, combining Syria’s rich cultural heritage with a modern and environmentally responsible architectural language. The airport will not only serve as a transportation hub but will also be a national gateway welcoming the world to a modern Syria rooted in its identity.
The design draws inspiration from Damascus, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where layers of history, squares, gardens, and markets form a vibrant urban fabric.
This spirit is translated into a contemporary and sustainable airport that blends authenticity with modernity.
Key Design Principles
1. Cultural Continuity Meets Contemporary Expression
The architectural design reinterprets traditional Syrian elements through modern construction and technology:
Terminal designs inspired by courtyards, reminiscent of Damascene houses, provide natural light, ventilation, and spaces for social gathering.
Digitally designed mashrabiya-style facades and shading systems control solar energy while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
Stone textures and earthy colors inspired by local materials are balanced with glass, steel, and lightweight structures.
Geometric lines, patterns, and subtle motifs are integrated into the ceilings, floors, and signage—a purposeful and meaningful design, without any excess.
2. Environmental Management and Climate-Sensitive Design
The airport was specifically designed for Damascus’s hot, dry climate, prioritizing passive design strategies and low energy efficiency:
Solar power plants on the roofs and adjacent land provide a significant portion of the operational energy.
High-performance building envelopes with deep projections and smart facades minimize heat gain.
Natural ventilation pathways and thermal mass strategies inspired by traditional Syrian architecture.
Water-conscious design through landscaping using local, drought-resistant materials.
Eco-friendly materials were selected, focusing on local sources, durability, and modular construction.
Al-Salam airport aims to become a regional model for sustainable aviation infrastructure in the Middle East. 3. The Airport as a Modern Marketplace: A Commercial and Retail Experience
The commercial strategy transforms the terminal into a contemporary reinterpretation of the Syrian market, blending commerce, culture, and community:
Commercial streets designed to resemble market axes, with diverse sizes, rhythms, and visual appeal.
A focus on local brands, Syrian handicrafts, food, and textiles, alongside international retailers and duty-free shops.
Dedicated areas for Syrian cuisine—from simple street food to fine dining—integrated with open seating and garden views.
Flexible temporary spaces for seasonal markets, exhibitions, and cultural performances.
This creates an authentic, experiential, and economically stimulating shopping environment.
4. Gardens and Landscapes as Identity
Inspired by the legendary gardens of Damascus and the Barada River, landscaping becomes a central architectural element:
Indoor and outdoor green oases offer tranquility, shade, and psychological comfort for travelers.
Palm-growing plazas, water features, and shaded walkways are redesigned with modern, water-efficient technologies.
Clear visual connections between interior spaces and landscaped areas reduce stress and enhance passenger comfort. The airport becomes a green threshold between the city, the desert, and the sky.
5. A seamless travel experience and future-readiness while upholding tradition. The airport is fully equipped for the future:
A clear and user-friendly navigation system inspired by historic urban routes.
Smart technologies for security, baggage, and passenger flow.
Integration of digital art, information walls, and interactive storytelling to showcase Syria’s past, present, and aspirations.
National symbolism.
A modular building layout that allows for gradual expansion without disrupting operations.
Al-Salam Airport is more than just infrastructure; it is a declaration of:
Peace, openness, and reconnection with the international community, demonstrating Syria’s ability to honor its history while embracing innovation.
Sustainability not as a passing trend, but as a cultural responsibility. Every arriving passenger experiences a story of identity, dignity, and hope. The modern, eco-friendly Peace Airport represents a gateway to a renewed nation, where rich culture, contemporary design, and environmental responsibility converge. It is an airport that not only transports people but also tells the story of Syria’s glorious past and its promising future.
Riad Muhammad Shaoqi Arafat