Schiphol selects new in-house architects
Update 15 April 2026: The intention to award has now become a final award.
Schiphol is set to work with a new team of in-house architects to implement the investment programme planned for the coming years. This programme, known as the Schiphol Master Plan, aims to improve the quality of the airport and provide more space and comfort for travellers. In implementing this programme, Schiphol will work from a unified design vision, ensuring that simplicity and a consistent, sustainable design style are reflected throughout the airport. Schiphol intends to award the contract to KAAN Architects, LVZJA (Luis Vidal + architects and ZJA), Paul de Ruiter Architects, and Beacon (Benthem Crouwel Architects and NACO).
Our aim is to gradually restore Schiphol to its position among the top three European hub airports in terms of quality. In doing so, we are placing the needs of our travellers at the heart of everything we do. Functional and carefully designed areas, which optimally support the complex processes at the airport, are of great importance. These will ensure that our travellers feel comfortable and at ease amidst the hustle and bustle of travel. Schiphol will once again become clear and recognisable through greater consistency and a distinct design style. In this way, we’ll make Schiphol feel like a home for world travellers.
New traveller-centred design
Schiphol was originally designed as a ‘one terminal airport’, featuring a compact, well-organised layout with short check-in and transfer times. The design style is functional in nature and serves the needs of travellers; throughout the journey, the airport must offer tranquillity, clear wayfinding and clarity. With the growth in passenger numbers over recent decades, the simplicity, authenticity and distinct identity that characterised Schiphol’s design DNA have faded into the background.
Major renovations, recognisable look
In line with the strategy and Master Plan presented in 2025, many parts of the terminal will be renovated over the coming years. A unified design vision will ensure that Schiphol retains a coherent, recognisable look throughout. The focus is on the traveller experience, functionality and quality, ensuring that the refurbished areas meet the travellers’ needs. At the same time, attention is being paid to costs, maintenance, modular construction and sustainability, so that buildings and facilities remain in good condition in the long term. The extensive investment programme thus offers the opportunity to bring greater consistency and clarity to the design of all areas.
To implement these plans, Schiphol will collaborate with new in-house architects, each of whom will be responsible for a section of the airport. To this end, Schiphol launched a European tender in December 2024, which attracted considerable interest from recognised architectural firms both at home and abroad.
Intention to award contracts
Schiphol intends to select four firms for the six different lots in the tender. KAAN Architecten, as lead architect, will be responsible for the overarching design vision, which will serve as a guideline for future designs.
LVZJA (Luis Vidal + architects and ZJA) has been selected for three of the four airport areas. They will produce the designs for Schiphol Plaza and the lounges, for the piers, gates and walkways, and for the landside passenger areas and parking facilities.
Paul de Ruiter Architects will be responsible for the design of the departure halls, baggage halls and security and customs screening areas. Beacon (Benthem Crouwel Architects and NACO) will act as the airport consultant, supporting the teams with technical and airport-specific expertise.
Working together to create a distinctive Schiphol
Together, these parties form the architectural team that will shape the redevelopment of Schiphol over the coming years. This long-term collaboration will contribute to design consistency, an improved traveller experience, efficiency and cost optimisation across the various redevelopment projects.