Xiaogang District Kaohsiung International Airport
When designing airports, traffic efficiency and secure checkpoints are generally the most important. Kaohsiung International Airport is the gateway to the rest of the world, as well as asserting a first impression of the city. Compared to other contemporary international airports, the spatial design of the Kaohsiung International Airport is somewhat modest. However, the airport is complete in every detail and practical functionality. The Kaohsiung International Airport was constructed using methods popular in Taiwanese large-scale public buildings at the time. It combines structural expression and postmodern architectural style to build cabin spaces with trusses that let in natural lighting. The departure hall uses large-span trusses, with no columns installed to allow convenient usage and smooth traffic. The alternating light and shadows create mesmerizing views.
小港／高雄國際航空站
如同車站，高雄國際航空站是一個以運輸效益為出發的建築類型。動線的流暢與各個關卡的設計，通常是航空站設計最重要的要求。國際機場為進出世界的一道門戶，同時也是入港旅客對於城市的第一印象。
高雄國際航空站藉由空間與構造，運用台灣當年在大型公共建設流行的架構方式，融合了結構表現與後現代建築語彙的航站建築，並以桁架與自然採光的手法，表現了機艙空間意象。出境大廳採用大垮度桁架而沒有落柱，讓使用上與功能安排更為便利，而自然光線與結構桁架的光影變化，形成出境前的一道風景。
雖然與當今一些國際都市機場相比，空間設計略顯中規中矩，並以解決功能性為主而少了強力的空間特色，但卻五臟俱全，每每經由小港機場回國，都有一種回家的親切感；除了機場本身，海關人員一句溫婉熱情的歡迎歸國，更令人每每記憶猶新。
文／龍霈
圖／高雄市政府文化局、交通部民用航空局高雄國際機場航空站