A project by ZGF and the Port of Portland, the award-winning $2 billion (USD) renovation of Portland International Terminal (PDX) opens today. The project features the largest mass timber project of its kind, a 9-acre mass timber roof that evokes the feeling of a Pacific Northwest Forest.
Rather than building an entirely new terminal, the Port of Portland and ZGF decided to renovate and expand in place, keeping the airport fully operational throughout five years of phased construction while realizing schedule, time and carbon savings. The one million square foot project doubles the capacity of PDX and will accommodate 35 million passengers annually by 2045.
Designed with people and place at its heart, intimate plazas with tree-lined retail concessions recall Portland's pedestrian-friendly streets. Urban furniture and plant-filled gathering places at various scales invite travellers to relax and enjoy their surroundings in a sanctuary of well-being. Views of the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that celebrate the region's natural beauty are present throughout the passenger journey.
"With the new PDX we wanted travellers to know they were in the Pacific Northwest before they even left the airport. And for locals, we wanted it to feel like home," said Vince Granato, Chief Projects Officer at the Port of Portland. "Creating that sense of place started with ZGF's spectacular design, which was brought to life by thousands of local craftspeople, using locally made materials. That's what makes this project so special."
An engineering marvel, the mass timber roof is the expansion's centrepiece. It celebrates Oregon's history of forest product innovation while showcasing the possible future of mass timber design and sustainable wood sourcing. All 3.5 million board feet of wood for the roof, as well as wood concessions, flooring and feature walls, is sourced from within a 300-mile radius of the Portland Airport and includes wood from small family-owned forests, non-profits, and tribal nations.
The project's sustainable design sets a new standard for airports worldwide. The main terminal doubles capacity while achieving a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot with a highly efficient, all-electric ground-source heat pump. Resilient design strategies enable the terminal to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
A second phase of the project is underway now and will be completed in early 2026. It will feature additional retail and dining amenities and exit lanes on the terminal's north and south sides.
