The Hamad International Airport is built on 22 km²(237 million sq ft) of land reclaimed from the sea by the construction of an artificial peninsula accommodating two of the longest commercial runways in the world, five piers, 41 gates and a 90 m (295 ft) high control tower, visible from every part of the city. The extension of the HIA underscores a stated ambition, namely that of becoming one of the world’s top airports, setting new records.

The impressive complex is the result of innovative design, cutting-edge technology and long and meticulous planning. The architectural project of the passenger terminal was assigned to HOK, and meets the objective of creating the world’s best passenger terminal. The architects paid homage to the country’s rich cultural heritage, identifying two natural components that distinguish the panorama along the Persian Gulf: the dunes of the desert and the waves of the ocean, echoed in the curving silhouette of the projecting roof of the HIA, which remains imprinted in the minds of travelers as a symbol of the airport and gives rhythm and lightness to the architecture. This feeling of lightness is further emphasized by the glass façades that cover the three sides of the terminal (the one on the south corresponds to the main front, while those on the east and west have a longer length and a slight inclination towards the outside). The abundant use of glass was also useful to maintain a dialogue with the outside environment and to provide natural lighting, both controlled by the shading effect of the projecting roof, and by sunshades and high-performance glass surfaces. Inside, the light is diffused uniformly also thanks to the soft colors of the environments and the presence of skylights in the roof.