ZGF has recently unveiled new renderings of Portland International Airport’s (PDX) main terminal. The project’s design will celebrate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
The project will double the existing footprint and create capacity for 35 million passengers by 2045. The new design will invite both passengers and airport employees to “take a walk in the forest.” Interior landscaping, biophilic strategies, and sustainable materials will create moments of “surprise and joy” meant to relieve stress. This forest-like area is referred to as the “seam,” as it will mark the path from the ticket lobby to the public market and security checkpoints.
A wooden roof recalls the state’s history of forest product innovation with regionally and sustainably sourced wood. The curved shape of the roof is penetrated by Y-shaped columns to allow natural variation in daylight reminiscent of sunlight filtering through a forest canopy.
A phasing strategy will ensure that while expanding to the west and creating more space for travelers, PDX will remain fully operational during all stages of construction. The terminal is slated to open in 2025.
Related Stories
Airports | Feb 28, 2019
Renovation of Tampa International Airport’s Main Terminal completes
Skanska and HOK led the design-build team.
Airports | Feb 26, 2019
Design team unveils Terminal Modernization Program at Pittsburgh International Airport
The terminal’s design philosophy combines nature, technology, and community.
Airports | Feb 21, 2019
Self-service bag drops and the challenges of speeding up airport baggage check-in
More airports are asking passengers to check their own baggage. What’s the ripple effect?
Airports | Feb 10, 2019
Chicago searches for the right design to expand O’Hare Airport and make passenger connections less stressful
Competition finalists took different approaches to rethinking the logistics of a gigantic, hectic space.
Airports | Oct 31, 2018
Foster + Partners’ Mexico City Airport has been cancelled
The project was set to cost $13.3 billion.
Airports | Aug 3, 2018
Airport trends 2018: Full flights with no end in sight
As service demand surges, airports turn to technology, faster building techniques.
Airports | May 31, 2018
Denver's airport city
Cultivation of airport cities is an emerging development strategy shaped by urban planners, civic leaders, airport executives, and academics.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
Retail Centers | Apr 19, 2018
Miami International Airport is home to the first Johnnie Walker store in the U.S.
The store will be a permanent fixture in the airport’s North Terminal.
Airports | Feb 21, 2018
Terminal Modernization: Why Bother? Part II
This is the second post in our series examining why airport operators should bother to upgrade their facilities, even if capacity isn’t forcing the issue.