Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3: How Strategic Design Drives Infrastructure Performance and Regional Competitiveness
As part of the World Design Capital year in the FrankfurtRheinMain region, representatives from business, politics, planning and design came together for a panel discussion on the relevance of design in large-scale infrastructure projects. The occasion was the completion of Terminal 3 – a project delivered on time and within budget.
Panel Participants:
- Prof Christoph Mäckler, Architect of Terminal 3 and Founder of MÄCKLER ARCHITEKTEN
- Kaweh Mansoori, Hessian Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas
- Stephanie Pudwitz, Chief Commercial Officer, Fraport AG
- Sibylle Schlaich, Managing Partner at Moniteurs, Expert in Wayfinding Systems and User Experience in Public Spaces
At the heart of the discussion was the question of how design contributes to complex planning and construction processes. One point became clear: design operates beyond architecture alone. It structures processes, supports spatial orientation and shapes the overall user experience. Clear spatial organisation, robust material concepts, long-term adaptability and a coherent wayfinding system were identified as key factors.
“In Germany, infrastructure is often understood purely as a construction task. Terminal 3 demonstrates that architecture is a strategic leadership discipline. Design structures complexity, creates orientation, and translates technical precision into economic impact. Anyone seeking transformation must integrate design thinking from the very beginning.”
Lutz Dietzold, CEO German Design Council
The economic dimension was also emphasised. Planning reliability, dependable framework conditions and interdisciplinary collaboration are considered essential prerequisites for the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects. In this context, Terminal 3 was discussed as an example of how design quality and functional requirements can be effectively aligned.
With the four-part series Moving Business by Design, IHK Frankfurt am Main and the German Design Council are creating a platform for dialogue between industry and the design community during World Design Capital FrankfurtRheinMain 2026. The aim is to examine the role of design in transformation processes, infrastructure development and economic progress from a differentiated perspective.
The strong turnout at the opening event underscored growing interest in the intersection of design, infrastructure and regional development.
The full press release with detailed statements from all speakers is available here:
