Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan

The challenge: To build an airport way out to sea so as not to disturb the residents of Osaka. This extraordinary airport, which works 24/7, is three miles off the coast of Honshu in Osaka Bay.

An incredible engineering feat, it sits on a man made island that’s 2.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The terminal itself stretches for a mile, has 42 gates was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.

It features a striking asymmetrical roof including 260ft beams held up by columns.