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.
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