Portland, Oregon has been known to have one of the most well-run, well-loved airports in the country. But until recently, the main terminal was showing its age.
Now, after four years and $2 billion dollars, the new Portland (PDX) airport is brand new, with a stunning new main terminal that features the biggest mass timber designs in the world.
Designed by ZGF Architects, the airport has a soaring roof that spans 9 acres, and is made primarily from timber sourced from within a 300-mile radius. nearly fifty large skylights bring natural light into the space, and make it feel especially airy and bright.
Pre-security features a large public area that includes stadium seating, inviting guests to sit and relax in a unique, communal space.
The timber construction was chosen for a number of reasons, partly to bring an outdoor feeling inside, and bridge the gap between nature and our manmade environments. With over 5,000 plants in the new terminal, including large trees, the designers have created a space that truly feels like it grew out of the ground.
Employing over 30,000 people to complete, the massive project on the main terminal opened this month, and makes what many considered the best airport in the country now one of the best anywhere in the world.
Images © Ema Peter Photography, Dror Baldinger Faia, Port of Portland.
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3 Comments
It’s a good question, luckily with a good answer! This was one of the first projects in the world to trace the wood used back to expertly managed forests. It features over 600,000 board feet of wood lattice that is all FSC Certified and 98% traceable to the mill that made it and the forest that grew it. We will add more context to the article.
Beautiful, but how much deforestation did it take to make it?
Totally awesome. I would love to go to it just to see it even if I don’t have to fly anywhere.