Summary:
- Schiphol Group embarks on major renovation with Schiphol Master Plan, aiming to improve quality, comfort, and space for travellers across its terminal.
- Unified design vision and collaboration with leading architectural firms to enhance functionality, sustainability, and the traveller experience.
- Key design collaborators include KAAN Architects, LVZJA, Paul de Ruiter Architects, and Beacon to implement large-scale terminal improvements.
Schiphol Group – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – 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,” said Arthur Reijnhart, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Schiphol Group. “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.”
Schiphol was originally designed as a ‘one terminal airport’, featuring a compact layout with short check-in and transfer times. The design style is functional in nature and aims to serve the needs of travellers throughout the journey, offering tranquillity, clear wayfinding and clarity.
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 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 therefore 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 which will be responsible for a section of the airport. 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.
Together, these parties form the architectural team that will shape the redevelopment of Schiphol over the coming years. This long-term collaboration is intended to contribute to design consistency, an improved traveller experience, efficiency and cost optimisation across the various redevelopment projects.
You may also be interested in
12 technology and CX trends that can enhance airline and airport operations in 2026
12 innovations that have the potential to enhance CX and future-proof airport operations
The FTE Commercial Collaboration Playbook – delivered in partnership with Munich Airport
