Portland International Airport (PDX) has undergone a transformative $215 million expansion, led by design firms Hennebery Eddy and Fentress Architects. The project is the first major one in nearly two decades and it focuses on balancing passenger and infrastructure demands on the north and south sides of the terminal.
The initiative involved a 253-m (830-ft) extension of Concourse E, adding 12,727 m2 (137,000 sf) to accommodate seven contact gates and two ground-loading gates. Southwest Airlines has relocated to the north side, contributing to the rebalancing effort. The extension aligns with the Port of Portland’s “Uniquely PDX” brand, incorporating diverse food/beverage and retail options, restrooms, airline operations spaces, and support areas.
Inspired by Oregon’s canyons, the cantilevered biophilic roof and curtainwall glazing mirror the Port’s headquarters, creating a dynamic building section reminiscent of flight. The south facade features a custom colored glass pattern celebrating Oregon’s forest edges, influencing the interior with clerestory windows and a sweeping sloped curtainwall that flood the space with natural light. Vast window walls also offer views north to the airfield.
For walkability, inspired by Downtown Portland’s walkable 61-m (200-ft) city block grid, concessions “nodes” located every 61 m (200 ft) space out the 253-m-(830-ft)-long concourse circulation, akin to cross streets in downtown.
Full height glazing to the north and aerial art installations break the concourse’s length, while universal design fosters social equity for all users. Diverse permanent and rotating art installations, along with amenities such as moving walkways and a lactation room, cater to various needs. Scenic views of Mount Hood, the sky, and the Columbia River further enhance the connection to nature.
A 9.1-m (30-ft) rhythm of folded, clear span steel beams forms the roof, accommodating clerestory windows along the concourse’s length. This design anticipates future changes, such as aircraft size variations or advancements in boarding processes.
The project earned LEED Gold certification through strategies such as extensive daylighting, use of recycled materials, and remediation of contaminated soils. Energy conservation measures result in a 22 percent reduction—or 719,600 kilowatt hours (kwh)—in predicted energy consumption, equivalent to 505 tonnes (557 tons) of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. Water consumption is reduced by 33 percent through low-flow fixtures and low-irrigation landscaping, and the concourse’s south-facing roof is also solar-ready.
