High-performance projects | Aviation | PAE

Courtesy of Ema Peter and the Port of Portland

Portland International Airport, Terminal Expansion and Renovation

Portland, OR

Project Categories

Portland
Aviation

Business Type

New Airport Terminal and Renovation

Size

776,000 square feet

Find out more about how we doubled the energy efficiency of PDX:
PDXNext: Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
PDXNext: The New PDX

Among the largest projects in the airport’s history, this major renovation and addition to the terminal will increase the size of the space by 40%, while cutting energy use intensity by half (per square foot). In pursuing energy efficient and decarbonization goals, the system designs include extensive daylighting, a ground source heat pump, and a beautiful 9-acre cross-laminated timber (CLT) rooftop. The new terminal core has been designed with nature-inspired elements that showcase the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and provide an inviting space for passengers to enjoy.

Architect

ZGF Architects

Owner

Port of Portland

Services

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Plumbing engineering

LUMA Lighting Design

Fire protection

Technology design

Sustainability

Certifications

Pursuing LEED Platinum

Special features

Increased building size by 40% while cutting the energy intensity usage by half (per square foot).
Open loop ground source heating and cooling system will provide 90% fossil fuel free heating that offers high efficiency thermal comfort for passengers and staff (2026 completion).
Decommissioned steam heating plant replaced with new heating plant in the resilient portion of the terminal building.
The 9-acre wooden roof was constructed from sustainably harvested forests within a 300-mile radius, and reduces embodied carbon for the terminal.
From the robust wireless communications to the safety-enhancing video analytics, the technology system design supports an enjoyable passenger experience.
The complex phasing of design and construction was done while the facility was fully operational.

Media Coverage

ENR: Wood Wizardry in Oregon: Innovation Raises the Roof for PDX Terminal

KGW: PDX, ZGF Architects release new renderings for the new main terminal

Airport Improvement: Portland Intn’l taps local, renewable resource for seismically resilient wooden roof

DJC Oregon: Look up! PDX has a nine-acre mass-timber roof

Timberlab: Sustainable Skylines

ENR: Mass Timber Roof Tops Portland Airport Core

Portland Business Journal: Portland Airport's wooden roof is taking shape