Harvey Milk Terminal 1 becomes first airport terminal to achieve LEED v4 Platinum Certification

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced that Harvey Milk Terminal 1 has become the first airport terminal in the world to earn Platinum certification using the latest standards from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

The LEED v4 raises the bar for the design, construction, and high-performance structures. SFO earned this certification for Boarding Area B in Harvey Milk Terminal 1. This includes the 25-gate concourse, concession space, and connector to the U.S. Customs Federal Inspection Area.

SFO design — SFO's Harvey Milk Terminal puts an emphasis on design standards.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HARVEY MILK TERMINAL PROJECT

A tote-based Independent Carrier System (ICS) to manage checked baggage, the first in the U.S., which uses 50% less energy and is easier to operate and maintain than previous systems
Self-energizing (regenerative) elevators recycle energy, rather than wasting it as heat
Go-Slow escalators and moving walkways that reduce speed when not in use to save energy
Radiant heating and cooling to complement displacement ventilation to provide energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality and enhanced passenger comfort
Dynamic glazed windows that change with the sun’s location, to reduce glare and improve comfort
Large windows harnessing daylight to reduce the need for electric lighting
Controllable, dimmable, long-life light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures throughout the facility
Low-flow, hands-free bathroom fixtures and faucets save water in our drought-prone state
Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, providing renewable power for the facility
Highly efficient outdoor air filtration system to remove pollutants and odor to provide healthier indoor environments with minimal efficiency impacts
Building materials and furnishings with low-volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
Selection of products, systems and materials with the least environmental or planetary impact based upon Health Product Declarations (HPDs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDS)
Integrated Building Management System measures energy and water use and adjusts equipment to be more efficient
Seamless access to all facilities, including public transit, via the AirTrain electric people mover, which eliminated over 600,000 miles of bus trips annually
Recycling and diversion of approximately 95% of construction waste from landfill

SFO features — The new and improved features put SFO in its own class.

“We are truly proud to be the first airport in the world to earn LEED v4 Platinum certification,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero in the release. “This achievement continues a tradition of leadership in sustainable facilities that includes the first LEED Gold airport terminal in the United States, and the world’s first zero net energy facility at an airport. My thanks go out to the entire project team for continuing to push the envelope for what airports can accomplish to support our environmental goals.”

PROJECT TEAM FOCUSED ON COLLABORATION

A collaboration between HKS, Arup, Woods Bagot, ED2 International, Austin Commercial, Webcor, and Kendall Young Associates, the design takes advantage of every innovation available, beginning with repurposing the existing Boarding Area B to achieve the new 225,000-sf building.

Materials and systems were selected based on having the least environmental impact, such as carbon-sequestering concrete and nontoxic carpet tiles and finishes.

Other features include a sophisticated baggage carousel and photovoltaic panels on the roof, which generate the energy required for operations.

The project management team includes:

BAB Design-builder: Austin Commercial & Webcor Builders Joint Venture with HKS / Woods Bagot / ED2 International / Kendall Young Associates
BAB Sustainability Coordinator: Arup
BAB Construction Manager: WSP / AGS

Design firm HKS has launched a new partner diversity program that will work to build a more diverse AEC ecosystem. The HKS xBE program will give xBE firms (a term encompassing all disadvantaged businesses) and their members “access to opportunities to build relationships, pursue new work, and bolster innovation within the architecture and design professions,” according to HKS.

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