Airports are usually places we rush through: security lines, boarding calls, and coffee runs. We rarely stop and look at the building itself. But a recent reel by Instagram content creator Rishabh Wadhwa, who goes by @blessedarch, has made people look at Terminal 1 of Kempegowda International Airport in a completely new way. And honestly? It’s fascinating.
The Design Secret Behind Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 1
Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is one of India’s busiest and most talked-about airports. In recent years, Terminal 2 has grabbed attention for its grand “garden airport” theme. But before that came into the spotlight, Terminal 1 was doing its job quietly and efficiently.
Terminal 1 has been around longer. Every year, millions of tourists pass through it, and it has undergone improvements and expansions. Many people think it’s simple and useful, but as Rishabh’s reel shows, there’s much more going on than that.
In the reel, Rishabh starts by saying something very simple: when you look at Terminal 1 in plan (from above), it’s just a rectangular box. However, things start to get interesting when he zooms in. He says that if you examine the roof design closely, you will see an odd pattern. The roof has a wave-like pattern. And on one side of this roof are long stretches of windows that let in natural light.
Here’s the smartest part: a lot of the light inside Terminal 1 is natural daylight, not artificial lighting. All the skylights face north because north-facing windows allow bright natural light without harsh direct sunlight. That means the space feels open and well-lit, but it doesn’t overheat. The design helps keep the terminal cooler and reduces the need to fight excess heat with heavy air conditioning.
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The Internet Reacted, And People Had Stories
Rishabh’s insights clearly struck a chord because the comments section was full of love and personal experiences. One user wrote, “I looooove the T1 Bengaluru airport. Despite it being relatively old, it’s still so well maintained, has such great services and doesn’t feel cramped.” Even though Terminal 1 isn’t the newest part of the airport anymore, travellers still appreciate how spacious and organised it feels.
Another person shared a fun architectural detail and said, “Fun fact the inner box was the original terminal. It was expanded with the surrounding structure around 2013.” Suddenly, the building becomes even more interesting. Someone else highlighted something many frequent flyers value, “I like Terminal 1 as it’s very simple design to reach the gates.”
Then came the most relatable comment of all: “Bro I lost my phone in there and I could actually find the location where it was through find my phone using these boxes as reference 😂😂😂” Only an airport roof pattern could become a landmark for tracking down a lost phone!
Most of us are too busy at airports to look up at the ceiling and wonder why it’s shaped the way it is. But once someone points it out, you can’t unsee it.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Sameer2905 and @blessedarch/Instagram
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