In March 2020, the Portland International Airport (PDX) released its plans to construct a new main terminal. 60% of the terminal was opened to the public on Aug. 14, 2024, with further construction continuing until 2026. Reflecting the values of many Pacific Northwesterners, architects from ZGF Architects drew up the plans for the airport expansion with sustainability as the main goal.
Arguably, the showstopper of the building is its 400,000 square-foot mass timber roof, 73% of which is sustainably sourced wood. Featuring seemingly endless windows, 60% of the new terminal is basked in daylight by 49 skylights and 36-foot-tall windows, significantly reducing the number of lights needed. The modular, open-spaced design of the area makes travel more efficient and creates a sanctuary with over 70 live trees and 5,000 plants. “It was about … creating these moments of calm in what’s known to be kind of a hectic environment,” shared Port of Portland Media Relations Manager Allison Ferre. The terminal also features new airline check-in areas, a public space with stadium seating, a streamlined security process, and 11 local shops and restaurants.
The old terminal simply couldn’t handle the approximately 17 million passengers traveling through the airport each year. Now, with the open floor plan, the area is much more accessible to large amounts of people. This enables PDX to welcome 35 million passengers annually.
During construction, a substantial challenge was keeping the airport operational. The construction process for the roof highlights how PDX navigated this challenge. Due to the size of the roof, it was built in 20 modules, which were moved across the airfield during the night.
Because of Portland’s geographic proximity to the Cascadia Subduction Zone — a fault line running from Canada to California, capable of producing a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake — the terminal needed to be built to withstand a significant seismic event. Engineers used wood as a main material of the design, providing a strong foundation to maintain structural integrity while emitting 18% less carbon than a steel roof. This ensures the terminal will remain safe for travelers in the event of a large earthquake.
The revamp aimed to increase possible capacity, ensure seismic resiliency, and provide flexibility for future needs. In the fall of 2019, Portland waved goodbye to Concourse A to make room for the new area. Instead of demolishing the 700-foot-long, 18,000-ton glass hallway, which previously served as the concourse connector, it was relocated within the airport to create walkways during construction. This saved time and money while avoiding additional construction.
Keeping sustainability at the core of the renovation, PDX chose to expand the terminal rather than entirely rebuild it to lower the renovation’s carbon footprint. PDX worked with Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture as the general contractor and construction manager for the project. Many of their decisions throughout construction mirrored the value of adaptive reuse. Adaptive reuse is building onto an existing structure rather than building something new altogether.
As sustainability is key to PDX’s future operational efficiency, the groundwater heating and cooling system is another important component. Hoffman Skanska is currently drilling wells into the Troutdale Sandstone Aquifer 500 feet below PDX to create a heat pump system. Designed by local engineering firm Pacific Architects and Engineers, the heat pump system turns the water into heating and cooling energy which is later returned underground in a closed loop. This cuts fossil fuel use by 95% and total energy costs by 50%.
Among its many favored characteristics, PDX is famous for its carpet. In 1987, the carpet was designed by SRG Architects, shifting the standard utilitarian look of the airport to a cozier feel. The redesign replaced the carpet to create a more efficient walking space, especially for one frequented by roller suitcases. The new terrazzo floors are more accessible to wheelchair users as well. Ferre said the largest piece of community feedback that PDX received was sadness over seeing the carpet go. The carpet was reincorporated into the mezzanine area to appease its fans.
Among other positive responses from the Portland community is one from a member of the Rose City Rollers Rosebuds All-Stars team, a youth roller derby team ranked second in the nation. Wren Grundstein-Helvey-Dornstauder, a member of the team, travels with the Rosebuds All-Stars over five times a year for tournaments across the country. “The new terminal at PDX has helped my experience traveling for derby quite a bit. The new additions to the security make it faster and help with my travel anxiety before tournaments,” explained Grundstein-Helvey-Dornstauder.
Lydia Kay, another member of the team, commented, “I really love how the remodeling represents the essence of Portland as a city. The foliage and woodsy design is so calming, which is particularly useful when trying to manage 20-plus people.”
The newly modernized PDX airport creates a more peaceful atmosphere, mirroring the values of the Portland community while showcasing the city’s greatest talking points like local restaurants. The renovations exemplify creativity in sustainability, setting a precedent for future eco-conscious infrastructure development.
