Kansas City International Airport’s new 1 million-sf terminal has broken ground. The project, which is designed by SOM, will set a new standard for inclusivity and accessibility.
The 39-gate terminal will have the flexibility to expand to 50 gates in the future. At the entrance, a large overhang, supported by structurally expressed Y columns, and a glass facade will create a grand and transparent space while retail spaces and two concourses will step down toward a human scale. The rhythmic expressed steel structural system is balanced by a natural wood inlay to provide inviting spaces for passengers. Outdoor waiting areas will leverage the site’s surrounding natural landscape to provide a calming space.
The design forgoes creating a sprawling terminal and instead focuses on quick and seamless transitioning with a compact layout: walking distances are kept to a minimum, check-in and security are consolidated into one space, and a dual-level roadway will separate the vehicular traffic between arrivals and departures, with the terminal’s entrance and passenger-parking facilities located on either side to make the entire airport walkable.
The terminal will feature a variety of spaces with the goal of increasing inclusivity and accessibility. A multi-sensory room will provide a quiet and secure place for people with autism, dementia, or sensory processing disorders. An airplane simulation room will help people with anxiety or other conditions that create a fear of flying. This room allows people in experience and fear about air travel through true-to-life objects like a ticketing kiosk, gate door, passenger boarding bridge, and simulated aircraft cabin.
Other inclusivity and accessibility features include a meditation room, a family play zone, all gender restrooms, family restrooms, infant nursing rooms, service animal relief areas, and adult-assist changing rooms.
In addition to SOM, the build team also includes Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate (developer), and Clark | Weitz | Clarkson (design-builder).
The new terminal is targeting LEED Gold certification. The project is slated for completion in 2023.
Related Stories
| Nov 10, 2011
Skanska Moss to expand and renovate Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
The multi-phase terminal improvement program consists of an overall expansion to the airport’s footprint and major renovations to the existing airport terminal.
| Mar 2, 2011
Cities of the sky
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Silk Road of the future—from Dubai to Chongqing to Honduras—is taking shape in urban developments based on airport hubs. Welcome to the world of the 'aerotropolis.'
| Feb 15, 2011
Iconic TWA terminal may reopen as a boutique hotel
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hopes to squeeze a hotel with about 150 rooms in the space between the old TWA terminal and the new JetBlue building. The old TWA terminal would serve as an entry to the hotel and hotel lobby, which would also contain restaurants and shops.
| Aug 11, 2010
JE Dunn, Balfour Beatty among country's biggest institutional building contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 Institutional Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Clark Group, Mortenson among nation's busiest state/local government contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 40 State/Local Government Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit /giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, CH2M Hill, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the 75 largest federal government design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Federal Government Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HOK top BD+C's ranking of the 75 largest state/local government design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 State/Local Government Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Clark Group, Hensel Phelps among nation's largest federal government contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 40 Federal Government Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
