The Great Hornbill Gate / STUDIOARO

Architects: STUDIOARO
Area: 2500 ft²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Shahul Shibili
Lead Architects: Aroty Panyang
Country: India

The Great Hornbill Gate by STUDIOARO, located in Arunachal Pradesh, India, serves as an entryway to the state’s new airport, symbolizing a cultural bridge through its bamboo and cane construction in the form of the region’s state bird, the Great Hornbill. Covering 2500 square feet, the structure spans 38 feet on each side, reaches a height of 25 feet, and comprises 26 interlocking arches. Arunachal Pradesh, known for its biodiversity and tribal heritage, has long relied on bamboo in traditional construction, and the airport promises increased connectivity for this formerly isolated region. Lead architect Aroty Panyang, a native of the area, drew inspiration from the Great Hornbill’s features and wingspan to celebrate the bird and promote its conservation. She hopes that using bamboo for such a large modern structure will revive its role in local communities as a sustainable material amid the rise of concrete and steel.

The project, called The Great Hornbill Gate, is located in Arunachal Pradesh, a distinctive region in northeastern India. Designed and built by STUDIOARO, the structure takes the form of the majestic Great Hornbill bird and is crafted entirely from locally sourced bamboo and cane. Serving as the entry gate for a new airport, it symbolizes a connection between the region’s rich cultural heritage and the modern world.

The announcement of a new airport for the capital sparked great enthusiasm among the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Historically landlocked and evolving in relative isolation, the airport will be key in connecting this region to the broader world. Home to a richly diverse culture, the area hosts numerous tribes and sub-tribes, each with unique mythology, customs, and art.

Arunachal Pradesh is renowned as a biodiversity hotspot, home to thousands of animal, plant, and insect species, many of which are unique to the region. Bamboo is deeply significant in local culture, with numerous species of bamboo and cane identified in the area. Traditional homes in Arunachal Pradesh are still constructed from bamboo, which is used extensively in daily life. The gate, designed as a double-headed Great Hornbill with wings spanning the entry and exit roads, welcomes those entering both the airport and the state with the sight of this majestic bird. Covering 2500 square feet, the structure consists of 26 interlocking arches that extend 38 feet across each side and reach a height of 25 feet, forming the Great Hornbill’s shape. Celebrated by Indian media, this project is recognized as the largest public structure in India made entirely from natural materials.

Aroty Panyang, the lead architect and a native of the region, shared her thoughts on the project, noting that when her team was approached to design and build the airport gate, they felt a strong sense of excitement. She explained that creating this landmark project for their community was a source of great pride. Since airports symbolize flight and early airplanes were inspired by birds, they wanted to weave this element into the design.

Panyang further explained that the team chose the Great Hornbill as their inspiration—a unique and iconic bird that also serves as the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh. They carefully studied every aspect of the hornbill, including its form, features, and flight, paying particular attention to the striking beak and the bird’s majestic wingspan relative to its body. These defining characteristics were integrated into the gate’s design. By celebrating the beauty of this bird through the project, they hope to support efforts to protect the Great Hornbill and contribute to the conservation of other endangered species worldwide.

Furthermore, the team intended this large, modern structure made of bamboo and cane to redefine the use of these materials for traditional communities in the region. As modern construction increasingly favors materials like concrete and steel—a trend that has reached this area—the project aimed to celebrate the heritage of bamboo, one of the most sustainable materials globally and integral to the region’s culture. By constructing the gate with bamboo, the team hopes to rekindle the local community’s connection to this resource, honoring its cultural and practical significance.