Cities and airport operators are using innovative schemes to finance ambitious terminal projects at U.S. airports. The ultimate goal: improved passenger satisfaction.
The $4 billion renovation of New York City’s LaGuardia Airport is the first major U.S. aviation project delivered using a public-private partnership (P3) model. The airport’s new 1.3 million-sf Central Terminal B, which will replace the existing 1964 terminal building, is being led by a design-build joint venture of Skanska and Walsh Construction. WSP USA and HOK are the design partners.
“Given the extremely tight site and aggressive schedule, it would be extremely challenging to deliver this project through a traditional approach,” says Dwight Pullen, Director of Skanska’s Aviation Center of Excellence. “Our design and phasing solution worked a lot more seamlessly under a P3 arrangement.”
At Los Angeles International Airport, the new $1.6 billion Midfield Satellite Concourse, which is part of a wider $14 billion overhaul at LAX, is also being delivered using a P3 approach. Corgan and Gensler are collaborating on the design. A Turner-PCL joint venture is building the 12-gate concourse, which is scheduled to open in 2019.
“P3 is increasingly attractive to municipalities and airport operators, and I foresee a number of airports seizing the P3 opportunity in the next several years,” says Robert Chicas, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Aviation + Transportation in HOK’s New York shop.
They may not have a choice. According to Airports Council International–North America, airports will generate only about half the financing they’ll need to meet the estimated $100 billion infrastructure investment required through 2021. Combine the shortage of funds for capital infrastructure needs with uncertainty about whether the federal government will increase the passenger facilities charge, which is used for facility improvements, and “it’s a market ripe for new solutions,” says Pullen.
MAKING TERMINALS CUSTOMER-CENTRIC
Airports are creating hospitality-rich environments for passengers and visitors. “Customer satisfaction has bubbled to the top as one of the highest priorities at every airport in the country,” says Chicas. “All airlines see the terminals they operate in as an extension of their brand. They know the strength and perception of that brand is key to their commercial success.”
To adapt to changes in regulations and requirements, terminals are being designed as flexible environments with few columns, broad floor plates, clear lines of circulation, and lots of natural light. Air travelers are also demanding state-of-the-art technology and abundant amenities to enhance travel experience—or at least reduce some of the anxiety.
“Airlines and airports are working to put more control into passenger hands to streamline the process for experienced travelers,” says Wilson Rayfield, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Executive Vice President of Aviation with Gresham, Smith and Partners. His firm is helping Southwest Airlines integrate self-tagging kiosks in multiple locations across the SWA network.
Stuart Garrett, Project Manager in the Aviation and Federal Group at Burns & McDonnell, agrees. “People want to feel like they’re more in control of their journey. It makes them more comfortable. And less-stressed people spend more money,” he says.
ALSO SEE: BD+C Giants 300 airport rankings
Top 30 airport architecture firms
Top 30 airport engineering firms
Top 40 airport construction firms
FOCUS ON REVENUE-GENERATING ACTIVITIES
Terminal designers are creating intuitive layouts and passenger flow that increase touch points around concession and retail offerings.
“With the tightening of connection times for domestic travel in the U.S., there has been an increased focus on grab-and-go concession opportunities and interactive spaces where passengers can plug in, recharge, and order food while still maintaining close proximity to their boarding gates,” says Thomas Haag, PE, National Director of Aviation with Walsh Group.
At the same time, airport operators recognize the need to accommodate a growing population of older flyers who need more time and assistance to pass through security and board their flights. “If it takes 15 more minutes for a person to board a flight, over the course of a day, that’s a huge impact on gate and aircraft utilization, which impacts airports and airlines,” says GS&P’s Rayfield. His team is working with the Airport Cooperative Research Program to develop a wayfinding guidebook for airport operators and planners to assist elderly and disabled air travelers.
Most AEC firms that specialize in terminal work see nothing but blue skies for the foreseeable future. “It’s obviously a great market for those of us who design and build airport projects, but it’s going to be a challenge to keep up with it all,” says Jay Fraser, VP and General Manager of Turner Construction Company’s Aviation Group.
SEE ALL 2017 GIANTS 300 RANKINGS
Related Stories
Construction Costs | Sep 28, 2023
U.S. construction market moves toward building material price stabilization
The newly released Quarterly Construction Cost Insights Report for Q3 2023 from Gordian reveals material costs remain high compared to prior years, but there is a move towards price stabilization for building and construction materials after years of significant fluctuations. In this report, top industry experts from Gordian, as well as from Gilbane, McCarthy Building Companies, and DPR Construction weigh in on the overall trends seen for construction material costs, and offer innovative solutions to navigate this terrain.
University Buildings | Sep 27, 2023
Top 170 University Building Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, CannonDesign, Page Southerland Page, SmithGroup, and Ayers Saint Gross top the ranking of the nation's largest university sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Affordable Housing | Sep 25, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that serve as social catalysts
Trish Donnally, Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman, shares insights from three transformative affordable housing projects.
Resiliency | Sep 25, 2023
National Institute of Building Sciences, Fannie Mae release roadmap for resilience
The National Institute of Building Sciences and Fannie Mae have released the Resilience Incentivization Roadmap 2.0. The document is intended to guide mitigation investment to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
Data Centers | Sep 21, 2023
North American data center construction rises 25% to record high in first half of 2023, driven by growth of artificial intelligence
CBRE’s latest North American Data Center Trends Report found there is 2,287.6 megawatts (MW) of data center supply currently under construction in primary markets, reaching a new all-time high with more than 70% already preleased.
Giants 400 | Sep 20, 2023
Top 130 Hospitality Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, WATG, HKS, and JCJ Architecture top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest hospitality facilities sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all hospitality facilities work, including casinos, hotels, and resorts.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 19, 2023
Transforming shopping malls into 21st century neighborhoods
As we reimagine the antiquated shopping mall, Marc Asnis, AICP, Associate, Perkins&Will, details four first steps to consider.
Giants 400 | Sep 18, 2023
Top 200 Office Building Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, Stantec, HOK, and Interior Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest office building sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all office building work, including core and shell projects and workplace/interior fitouts.
Resort Design | Sep 18, 2023
Luxury resort provides new housing community for its employees
The Wisteria community will feature a slew of exclusive amenities, including a market, pub, and fitness center, in addition to 33 new patio homes.
Life of an Architect Podcast | Sep 18, 2023
Life of an Architect Podcast Ep. 134: Management 101
It happens to most people eventually. Some get there quickly, while others take a bit longer. Transitioning into a management role is a natural evolution of skill development, but that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. Chances are you’re ready for management, but in case you’ve questions, we think we have answers.