Massport Picks Designers for Airport Terminal Upgrades

Boston Logan International Airport, ranked as one of the worst airports in the nation for convenience and congestion, is about to give its international terminal a facelift. AECOM and luis vidal + architects were selected by the Massachusetts Port Authority to provide architectural and engineering design for 400,000 square feet of new and renovated space, said the prime consultant and engineer/architect of record in a Feb. 9 news release.

The project, seeking LEED GOLD, will include significant renovations to the 44-year-old terminal’s international arrivals and customs hall, utilizing a combination of roof and window designs to maximize natural light and efficiency. The curving red roof is designed to follow the sun’s path, with two north-facing skylights shaped like eyelashes to protect the interior from direct sun exposure. On its south side, the roof will reveal a number of openings that face downtown Boston.

In addition to renovations to the existing terminal, planned upgrades—scheduled to be completed by 2022—include enhanced ticketing, a new consolidated passenger security checkpoint, airline clubs, baggage systems, concession space and a new, central, multi-story great hall.

“This project will elevate Massport’s reputation for providing a world-class passenger experience to its international passengers,” said Terry Rookard, principal architect and senior vice president with AECOM in Boston. “As one of the busiest airports in the U.S., Boston Logan will be prepared to meet customer expectation and demand well into the future.”

AECOM recently completed work on the $160-million A380 aircraft accommodation and overall terminal renovation project designed to house the large double-decker aircraft used by British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa airlines. About 6 million international passengers used Logan last year from January through September, according to the latest Massport figures on its website.

Johanna Knapschaefer, ENR’s New England Special Correspondent, has been writing about trends in design and construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure for more than a decade. She also profiles award-winning industry leaders and delves into broader construction issues such as workforce training, worker safety and health, climate change remediation and emerging offshore wind and tidal energy developments. Over the past two decades, her articles have appeared in Architectural Record, BusinessWeek, the Boston Globe, American Banker, Modern Metals, BusinessNH Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine and many other publications. Johanna is fluent in Japanese, and taught English and academic writing in the Science and Engineering Department of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, while living in Japan for eight years.

When not writing, Johanna enjoys mountain climbing, singing and playing her Spanish guitar.

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