A zinc roof that takes flight over the Maldives.
Inspiring Roofing - Hanimadhoo International Airport, (The Maldives)
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The ray takes flight
What happens when an airport takes its cue from the ocean around it? At Hanimaadhoo International Airport, the new gateway to the northern atolls of the Maldives, the answer is a sweeping zinc roof shaped like a manta ray in flight. Officially opened on 9 November 2025, the terminal is designed to welcome 1.3 million passengers a year, and its roof is the first thing every one of them remembers.
Hanimaadhoo International Airport (Maldives)
Architects: Studio DRA
Technique: VMZINC Standing seam and flat-lock shingles
Surface aspect: QUARTZ-ZINC® and QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS®
Zinc area: 12,800 m²
A gateway inspired by the ocean
In the Maldives, architecture rarely competes with nature. It learns from it. Seen from above, the terminal roof reads like a manta ray gliding just beneath the surface of the sea: fluid, light and full of movement.
This biomimetic concept draws directly on the Maldivian marine world, so travellers feel connected to the place from the moment they land. Turning that idea into a real building, though, needed a material that could follow complex geometry and still last for decades by the sea.
Built for a demanding coastal climate
Built for a demanding coastal climate
Building on a Maldivian island means living with salt-laden air, high humidity, strong winds and intense sunlight all year round. Beneath the zinc sits a double-curved, free-form space frame that spans up to 32 metres without internal columns and is engineered to resist cyclonic pressures.
To clad this intricate form, the project team chose VMZINC titanium zinc as the primary roofing material. It brings together strength, flexibility and the natural characteristics of zinc that make it so dependable over the long term.
QUARTZ-ZINC and QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS: made for the sea
QUARTZ-ZINC and QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS: made for the sea
The roof combines QUARTZ-ZINC and QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS, two preweathered surface finishes that perform exceptionally well in saline, humid environments. Their soft mineral grey sits quietly alongside the organic architecture and the colours of the lagoon.
Over time, the zinc develops a stable patina that protects the metal naturally. No paints, applied coatings or chemical finishes are needed, which keeps maintenance low and environmental impact down. For a project rooted in ecological sensitivity, that mattered. You can read more about the life cycle of zinc and why it is such a responsible choice.
Standing seam and flat-lock shingles: a seamless silhouette
Standing seam and flat-lock shingles: a seamless silhouette
The manta ray geometry is full of flowing curves, folded planes and "rolling flippers". Zinc's high malleability allowed it to follow these rationalised free-form and double-curved surfaces closely, so the architectural intent survived right down to the smallest detail.
To achieve the roof's aerodynamic profile across 12,800 m², a high-performance insulated standing seam system was combined with triangular flat-lock shingles. Together they echo the layered texture of a ray's skin and let the roof move fluidly across the structure.
The result is one continuous zinc envelope that unites the passenger terminal and the sea terminal in a single architectural expression: light, elegant and instantly recognisable.
A new landmark for the northern Maldives
Beyond its sculptural impact, the airport integrates solar shading and a low U-value roof build-up, supporting energy efficiency for the long term. It is a clear example of how the right material choice can lift a building both aesthetically and responsibly.
With VMZINC on the roof, this manta ray will keep gliding above the Maldives for decades, weathering naturally, performing reliably and telling a story of design in harmony with nature. Explore more VMZINC case studies or see how our design assistance team can support your next project.
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