Gensler and Turner Collaborate on SFO Renovation

The new terminal will have the capacity to serve four million Virgin America and American Airlines passengers a year, while also boasting LEED Silver certification.

Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 9/28/2009 12:00:00 AM

In a high-powered collaboration between two of the industry's biggest names, global architecture firm Gensler and international general contractor Turner Construction Company are teaming on a $383 million renovation and expansion of San Francisco International Airport's 587,000-square-foot Terminal 2.

The San Francisco Airport Commission, aiming to accommodate a 22 percent increase in passenger traffic and the addition of several new air carriers, turned to Turner and Gensler to strip the original terminal down to its steel structural skeleton, and add a new metal and glass building envelope. This includes all-new interiors and new passenger loading bridges, as well as enhancements to the terminal's structural, mechanical and electrical systems that will improve energy efficiency and public safety. When the terminal reopens in the Fall of 2011, it will have the capacity to serve four million Virgin America and American Airlines passengers from its two levels, 10 security lanes and 14 gates.

Seeking to soften the sometimes arduous experience of air travel, Gensler and Turner devised the terminal's Recompose Area. The 6,000-square-foot space, situated beyond the security checkpoint with comfortable benches, plants and Zen-garden-inspired water effects, is intended to give travelers a place to relax, or perhaps get dressed again, after navigating security. The team also considered the frayed nerves of traveling parents by creating two distinct children's play areas, each featuring local-artist created interactive exhibits including a mechanical butterfly garden.



Notoriously conscientious San Franciscans should also be soothed by the Slow Food focus of the terminal's eating options, which will consist of restaurateurs who provide fresh and locally sourced cuisine. Chain restaurants need not apply.

Beyond design and convenience, flyers will also experience a cutting-edge green airport. On track to snare LEED Silver certification upon completion, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the facility by an estimated 1,667 tons per year. Since Turner and Gensler will be reusing a substantial portion of the infrastructure of the existing building in the renovated terminal, the airport will reduce the environmental impact of its new facility by a one-time amount of approximately 12,300 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, all contractors involved in the renovation project have met San Francisco's minimum rate of 75 percent recycling of construction and demolition wastes.