Air Temple Island

Air Temple Island is located off the coast of Republic City in Yue Bay. The temple was originally built by Avatar Aang himself.

Comprised of several structures, Air Temple Island is home to Tenzin, his wife Pema, and their three children Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, as well as the Air Acolytes, an organization dedicated to carry on Air Nomadic traditions. Also residing on the island are colonies of flying bisons and ring-tailed winged lemur.

History
When Avatar Korra was in need of an airbending master, she moved here to be taught the ancient art by Tenzin, subsequently disturbing the serene life his family had on the island. For the Avatar's airbending training, Tenzin used the temple's airbending gates to teach her how to move like a true airbender, to be able to switch direction on a moment's notice. This proved to be a real challenge for Korra, and she ended up destroying the two-thousand-year-old gates.

Description
Air Temple Island houses many structures, including a large tower, several smaller buildings with blue roofs, a library, and a dining hall. An open practice area with airbending gates can be found outside, along with a meditation pavilion. With the arrival of Avatar Korra to the island, a part of the temple has been reformed to accommodate the White Lotus sentries, who serve as her bodyguards.

Dining hall


The dining hall is a large room used for dining by the Air Acolytes and the rest of the island's residents. It overlooks Republic City and the pro-bending arena.

The structure features several minimalist wall ornaments and supply shelves, along with numerous low eating tables and seat cushions. The room is simplistic, with primarily geometrical shapes lining the interior and the many windows on either side of the hall.

Airbending training area


The airbending training area is located on the upper portion of the island surrounded by a dense bamboo garden. It features an ancient contraption dating back two thousand years known as the airbending gates. The mechanism is assembled on top of a raised circular platform, and used primarily to teach airbending pupils of the bending art's fundamental principles. The gates are initiated by a gust of air, and pupils maneuver their way through the gates by employing circular movements.

Meditation pavilion


The meditation pavilion is a small wooden gazebo located atop a cliff overlooking Yue Bay. It is an area of spiritual reflection and the site of daily meditation for many of the temple's residents.

As meditation is key to airbending training, Tenzin's children along with Korra spend a portion of their day meditating in the pavilion. The act promotes discipline and patience, as well as urges pupils to let their minds and spirits be free.

The pavilion is intricately patterned with an array of blue and gold swirls. The colors and the general aesthetic feel of the structure is very reminiscent of Southern Air Nomad architecture.

White Lotus sentries' quarters


The sentries' quarters are residence for the Order of the White Lotus sentries stationed at Air Temple Island for Avatar Korra's protection. It is rectangular in shape with a protruding side extension that serves as a roofed terrace. The building stands separate from the main temples, but offers a magnificent view of Republic City and the pro-bending arena nonetheless. The sentries often remain at their quarters and listen to pro-bending matches over the radio.

Trivia

 * The temple is described as a "sanctuary" by Michael Dante DiMartino.