The new Portland International Airport (PDX) Terminal blends innovative design with a deep connection to nature. Central to the project was a commitment to innovation, design excellence, biophilic principles, and sustainability, all showcased in the terminal’s vast, undulating nine-acre mass timber roof and its holistic lighting strategy.
The airport remained fully operational during construction enabling significant cost savings. The roof was pre-fabricated adjacent to the existing terminal and then transported across the airfield during off-peak hours.
Inspired by Oregon’s forested landscapes, the design drew on the concept of biophilia, creating an environment that evokes “a walk in the forest” featuring trees up to 25 feet tall, cascading gardens, and 5,000 plants that act as both natural wayfinding elements and aesthetic delights.
The integration of daylighting is a key driver of the terminal design utilizing skylights and expansive glazing to flood more than half the interior with natural light. Extensive studies of the roof apertures, the nature of the curves of the ceiling, dimensions and colour of the timber, and other aspects of materiality, reflectivity, and aperture characteristics. The acoustic material above the undulating roof is a warm gray that ameliorates contrast and warms reflected light.
A 365-day, quantitive daylight analysis along with a series of physical models were studied.
The Portland climate is a challenge to daylight integration. Winters are grey and dark while summers are replete with abundant sunshine and long days. The lighting controls system enables this integration and will substantially reduce electrical lighting costs compared to baseline.
When walking about the terminal at night, the dappled light concept in the areas of the trees and other greenery is a visual delight. A higher contrast ratio than you would find in most airports, enhances visual interest and creates this effect. Crucial supplemental horticultural lighting is located only where needed. The horticultural lighting not only nourishes the plants, but helps create the magical dappled effect.
Four hundred custom-designed pendant fixtures evenly distribute warm 3000K light, onto the vast, undulating timber roof. An integrated downlight provides general illumination in a cooler 3500K. The pendant strategy mediates the space between us and the roof structure with its combination of down and up lighting as it conveys a nuanced understanding of how we experience light within the space.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the PDX renovation, from the use of locally sourced, sustainably harvested timber to an energy-efficient lighting system. The project is pursuing LEED Gold certification, further reflecting its commitment to reducing environmental impact. Using LED sources exclusively, which contribute to the overall lighting efficiency, a focus on light distribution and creating an environment that feels rejuvenating and warm was as important as meeting sustainable benchmarks. The new PDX terminal marries architecture, lighting, and sustainability to create a space unlike any other airport. It is a testament to the power of innovative design and serves as a welcoming gateway to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
