Portland Airport doubles capacity and gets 9-acre solid wood roof

The expansion will enable Oregon’s largest airport to handle 35 million passengers annually by 2045.

Designed to evoke the atmosphere of a stroll through the Pacific Northwest, the 35,000-square-foot solid wood roof is made of solid plywood panels, glulam beams, and a wood lattice arranged around an oval skylight.

The building also features interior features that nod to the region’s forest character, such as tree-lined retail areas that resemble Portland’s pedestrian-friendly streets. In total, there are 72 large trees and 5,000 plants in the building.

Another environmentally friendly feature is the installation of a geothermal heat pump.

The extension was designed by ZGF Architects together with the British engineering firm Arup and a team of 30 sub-consultants.

ZGF has been involved with PDX since 1966, when the company was commissioned to double the size of the original 1958 airport terminal.

Sharron van der Meulen, Managing Partner of ZGF, said: “The design reflects the best of our region while offering other airports a new model for expansion and renovation to meet the travel needs of future generations.”

The staggered construction phase allowed the airport to remain open during construction. A second phase of the project is scheduled to open in 2026 and will add exit lanes and retail and restaurant space.