McCarthy Building Companies recently completed construction of the final concourse in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The new concourse, designed by SmithGroup in partnership with Corgan, is located at the southwest corner of the terminal adjacent to the low D concourse.
For this specific terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, this project was seen as a much needed investment for not only passengers, but the airport itself. Terminal 4 is the busiest at the airport and handles more than 80% of traffic annually. During peak periods, the terminal often reaches full capacity, and now the addition of eight new gates brings the Terminal 4’s gate total to 92.
Improving Airport Passenger Experience
The project team focused on implementing features to improve passenger experience while they wait for their flight. The gates provide a number of customer amenities, from charging stations at every seat to technologies designed to improve accessibility and comfort.
Other passenger experience features include:
- 25,000 sf of shell spaces for retail
- Food and beverage concessions
- A 24,000-sf transfer bridge
- Terminal processor improvements
- Expansion of an existing security checkpoint
- Additional ticket counters
- New baggage handling systems
Going Green in the airport terminal
The design team made sure this project was sustainable, as well. The terminal is currently pursuing LEED Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Approximately 14,000 sf of electrochromic glazing automatically tints the windows based on the exterior temperature and angle of the sun.
The team reused materials from old building foundations and slabs from the 1960s. The concrete was crushed and used onsite for backfill preventing the need for additional material import and the reinforcing steel was all recycled.
The three-year construction for Terminal 4 began in May 2019 and continued through the pandemic while the airport was still in operation as a whole. Other noteworthy project details include:
- 1.5 miles of baggage handling conveyor belts
- 1,400 linear feet of jet fuel pipeline
- Construction of four tunnels and two bridges. By building tunnel structures for baggage transfers, the team was able to remove the need for a costly additional basement structure.
- 49.6 million lbs. of concrete; 1.9 million lbs. of rebar; 92,000 sf of exterior metal panel and 56,000 sf of terrazzo flooring
On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: City of Phoenix
Design architect: SmithGroup in partnership with Corgan
Architect of record: SmithGroup and Corgan
MEP engineer: mechanical and electrical SmithGroup/LSW Engineers; plumbing LSW Engineers
Structural engineer: MKA
General contractor/construction manager: McCarthy
Related Stories
Airports | Nov 1, 2016
FAA forecasts a modest dip in spending for airports over next five years
Latest report based on surveys of 3,340 existing and proposed public-use airports.
Airports | Aug 31, 2016
Aircraft manufacturing facility innovation from The Austin Company
Austin’s many innovations contributed to the success of our clients by enabling them to operate in more efficient environments, optimize the flexibility of their operations, and meet aggressive schedules.
| Jul 29, 2016
AIRPORT FACILITIES GIANTS: Airports binge on construction during busy year for travel
Terminal construction will grow by nearly $1 billion this year, and it will keep increasing. Airports are expanding and modernizing their facilities to keep passengers moving.
Airports | Jun 1, 2016
LaGuardia Airport’s massive redevelopment begins construction
The development consortium has secured financing for the $4 billion project, and signed an operating lease through 2050.
Airports | Apr 6, 2016
HOK leads joint venture to expand and modernize Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s domestic passenger terminal
The domestic passenger terminal is just the tip of the spear, as the world’s most traveled airport is about to undergo 20 years and $6 billion worth of changes.
Giants 400 | Jan 29, 2016
AIRPORT TERMINAL GIANTS: KPF, Jacobs, Hensel Phelps among top airport sector AEC firms
BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest airport sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2015 Giants 300 Report
Metals | Jan 19, 2016
6 ways to use metal screens and mesh for best effect
From airy façades to wire mesh ceilings to screening walls, these projects show off the design possibilities with metal.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Airports | Dec 13, 2015
Skybridge connects a terminal and airport on each side of the U.S.-Mexico border
Cross Border Xpress is the first phase of a larger development that will include hotels and offices.
Airports | Dec 4, 2015
National Fire Protection Association drops ban on glass boarding bridges
U.S. airports can now use more aesthetically pleasing building-to-plane links.
