Terminal velocity

An exceptional passenger experience and commitment to sustainability were key goals for Portland International Airport’s new terminal.

The new one million square foot main terminal at Portland International Airport doubles the capacity of PDX and will enable the airport to welcome 35 million passengers annually by 2045.

Featuring a 9-acre mass timber roof, the new terminal evokes the feeling of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest.

Views to the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that celebrate the natural beauty of the region are present throughout the passenger journey.

“Everybody loves Portland International Airport,” said Gene Sandoval, ZGF partner. “We had a tall order to evolve a terminal that’s essentially multiple buildings pieced together since the 1950s – and double the capacity while designing an experience passengers and employees will love as much as the original.”

The expanded terminal is the largest mass timber project of its kind, and it is designed with people and place at its heart. Intimate plazas with tree-lined retail concessions recall Portland’s pedestrian-friendly streets.

According to ZGF Architects, the terminal’s interior environment is designed to increase passengers’ comfort and reduce the stress that many people experience while travelling.

PDX has always placed an emphasis on cultivating a sense of place by incorporating elements of wood, plants, and natural daylight into its design. Through collaborations with Terrapin Bright Green and landscape architect PLACE, ZGF applied the concept of biophilia holistically throughout the terminal.

As a result, almost every corner of features access to natural light and touches of Oregon’s signature greenery.

Pathways are filled with trees and plants, with 72 large trees up to 25ft tall, located at the seam and throughout the terminal; cascading gardens; and over 5,000 strategically placed plants.

The landscaping provides a sense of wandering through a forest and acts as a wayfinding tool that guides passengers from security checkpoints to their ultimate destinations.

Upon entry, the reconfigured and expanded ticket hall offers clarity and ease. A central threshold directly after ticketing provides a forest-like experience with trees and dappled light that transitions passengers to the TSA security checkpoints and on to their gates.

A pre-security marketplace features stadium seating with 30% of the total concessions offering regional goods and dining open to anyone. The additional 70% of the concessions are beyond security. Retail concessions were designed as a “kit of parts” with plug and play utilities for ease of installation and flexibility in configuration and brand expression.

“The new main terminal is a testament to the vision of our incredible client, the Port of Portland, and their willingness to embrace new ideas and lead optimism,” said Sharron van der Meulen, ZGF’s managing partner.

“The design evokes the best of our region yet offers other airports a new model for how to expand and renovate in place to meet the travel demands of the future generations.”

The project’s sustainable design sets a new standard for airports worldwide. The main terminal doubles capacity while achieving a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot with a highly efficient, all-electric ground-source heat pump. Resilient design strategies enable the terminal to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

A second phase of the project is underway now and will complete early 2026. It will feature additional retail and dining amenities and exit lanes on the north and south sides of the terminal.