This month, the Portland International Airport (PDX) main terminal expansion opened to passengers. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the one-million-sf project doubles the capacity of PDX and enables the airport to welcome 35 million passengers per year by 2045.
With a nine-acre mass timber roof, the $2 billion terminal renovation-expansion is the largest mass timber project of its kind, according to a press statement from ZGF.
The new terminal aims to evoke the experience of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. The terminal offers views of the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that suggest the region’s natural beauty. Designed at a neighborhood scale, the project features intimate plazas with tree-lined retail concessions and plant-filled gathering places.
“Everybody loves Portland International Airport,” Gene Sandoval, ZGF partner, said in the statement. “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.”
As the expansion’s centerpiece, the prefabricated wood roof spans the expanded lobby, check-in, and security areas. The 3.5 million board feet of wood for the roof—as well as wood concessions, flooring, and feature walls—was sourced from within a 300-mile radius of PDX and includes wood from small family-owned forests, nonprofits, and tribal nations.
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport. Photo: Ema Peter, courtesy ZGF](/sites/default/files/inline-images/10_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography%20.jpg)
The Port of Portland and ZGF decided to renovate and expand in place instead of building an entirely new terminal. This approach helped achieve schedule and time savings in addition to a 70% reduction in embodied carbon compared to building new. The airport remained fully operational throughout five years of phased construction.
“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,” Sharron van der Meulen, ZGF managing partner, said in the statement.
While doubling capacity, the main terminal achieves a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot with an all-electric ground-source heat pump. With resilient design strategies, the terminal can withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.
A second project phase, now underway, will finish in early 2026, providing more retail and dining amenities as well as exit lanes on the north and south sides of the terminal.
On the Building Team:
Client: Port of Portland
Architect of record and interior designer: ZGF
Structural engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers (primary), Arup
MEP engineer: PAE Engineers (primary), Arup
Geotechnical engineer: GRI
Civil engineer and airside planning: HNTB
General contractor: Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture
Pre-construction services: Turner Construction
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/01_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/02_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Dror%20Baldinger.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/03_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/04_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography%20.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/06_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography%20.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/07_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Dror%20Baldinger.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/08_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Dror%20Baldinger.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/11_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography%20.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/12_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Ema%20Peter%20Photography%20.jpg)
![Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport](/sites/default/files/inline-images/13_PDX%20Airport%20Main%20Terminal_Dror%20Baldinger.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Concession%20Axon_PR_For%20Publication_EB%20Edits.png)
![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Overall%20Structure%20Axon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/PDX_Enplaning_Poche_Final%20for%20Publication.png)
![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Prefabrication%20Sites.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Roof%20Exploded%20Axon_PR_For%20Publication_EB%20Edits.png)
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.
Giants 400 | Dec 2, 2020
2020 Airport Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. airport facilities sector
AECOM, Hensel Phelps, and PGAL top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest airport sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
Airports | Nov 20, 2020
Populous survey shows travelers are ready to return to the airport, with proper protection
Survey data points to achievable solutions for airports around the globe.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Airports | Oct 6, 2020
Airport of the Future global student design competition 2020 winners announced
Winning projects reimagine airport mobility in the year 2100 for one of the 20 busiest airports in the world.
Airports | Sep 18, 2020
Infection control measures for airport terminals
More automation and scanning, of people and baggage, will help unclog airports.
Airports | Sep 18, 2020
Wings clipped, airports veer to tech to regain passenger trust
Alternative project delivery methods are also being considered.
Airports | Sep 10, 2020
The Weekly show: Curtis Fentress, FAIA, on airport design, and how P3s are keeping university projects alive
The September 10 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Airports | Jul 28, 2020
CallisonRTKL to design one of the world’s first net-zero airports
Guadalajara Airport Terminal 2 will be designed from the ground up.