Portland International Airport’s main terminal opens after $2 billion solid wood renovation

The $2 billion terminal renovation and expansion, designed by ZGF, is the largest mass timber project of its kind.

PORTLAND, OR – AUGUST 14, 2024 – Portland International Airport’s (PDX) Main Terminal Expansion opened to passengers on August 14. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the one million square foot project doubles PDX’s capacity and enables the airport to handle 35 million passengers annually by 2045.

The new terminal, with its 9-acre solid wood roof, creates the feeling of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. Passengers will enjoy views of the airfield throughout the journey, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that highlight the region’s natural beauty.

“Everyone loves Portland International Airport,” said Gene Sandoval, partner at ZGF. “We had a big task: to evolve a terminal that is essentially several buildings that have been put together since the 1950s – and double the capacity while creating an experience that passengers and employees will love as much as the original.”

The largest mass timber project of its kind, the expanded terminal was designed with a focus on people and place. Cozy plazas with tree-lined retail stores are reminiscent of Portland’s pedestrian-friendly streets. Street furniture and plant-filled gathering spaces of various sizes invite travelers to relax and enjoy their surroundings in an oasis of well-being.

Rather than building a completely new terminal, the Port of Portland and ZGF opted for an on-site renovation and expansion. This allowed the airport to remain fully operational during the five-year construction phase, saving time, schedule and CO2. This strategy was made possible in part by a prefabricated wooden roof that extends over the expanded lobby, check-in and security areas.

The mass timber roof, an engineering marvel, is the centerpiece of the expansion, honoring Oregon’s history of innovation in forest products while showing what’s possible in the future of mass timber design and sustainable wood sourcing. All 3.5 million board feet of lumber for the roof, as well as for timber concessions, floors and accent walls, are sourced within 300 miles of the Portland airport and include wood from small family forests, nonprofit organizations and tribal nations.

“The new main terminal is a testament to the vision of our great customer, the Port of Portland, and their willingness to embrace new ideas and move forward with optimism,” said Sharron van der Meulen, managing partner of ZGF. “The design reflects the best of our region while offering other airports a new model for on-site expansion and renovation to meet the travel needs of future generations.”

The project’s sustainable design sets a new standard for airports worldwide. The main terminal doubles its capacity while achieving a 50 percent reduction in energy consumption per square meter using a highly efficient, all-electric geothermal heat pump. Robust design strategies enable the terminal to withstand a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone.

“With the new PDX, we wanted to show travelers that they are in the Pacific Northwest before they leave the airport. And we wanted locals to feel at home,” said Vince Granato, chief projects officer at the Port of Portland. “Creating that sense of place began with ZGF’s spectacular design, brought to life by thousands of local artisans using locally sourced materials. That’s what makes this project so special.”

A second phase of the project is currently underway and will be completed in early 2026. It will include additional retail and dining options as well as emergency exits on the north and south sides of the terminal.