Designed by ZGF, the $2 billion terminal renovation and expansion is the largest mass timber project of its kind.
The main terminal expansion at Portland International Airport (PDX) opened to passengers on 14 August. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the one-million-square-foot (93,000m²) project doubles the capacity of PDX, enabling the airport to accommodate 35 million passengers annually by 2045.
Featuring a 9-acre (37,000m²) mass timber roof, the new terminal evokes the sensation of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. Throughout the passenger journey, views of the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes reflect the region’s natural beauty.
“The new main terminal is a testament to the vision of our incredible client, the Port of Portland,” said Sharron van der Meulen, ZGF Managing Partner. “The design evokes the best of our region yet offers other airports a new model for how to expand and renovate in place to meet the travel demands of future generations.”
The expanded terminal is the largest mass timber project of its kind, designed with people and place at its core. Intimate plazas with tree-lined retail concessions recall Portland’s pedestrian-friendly streets. Urban furniture and plant-filled gathering spaces at various scales invite travellers to relax and enjoy their surroundings in a sanctuary of well-being.
Rather than constructing an entirely new terminal, the Port of Portland and ZGF chose to renovate and expand the existing structure, keeping the airport fully operational throughout five years of phased construction while realising schedule, time, and carbon savings. This strategy was made possible, in part, by a prefabricated wood roof that spans the expanded lobby, check-in, and security areas.
An engineering marvel, the mass timber roof is the centrepiece of the expansion. It celebrates Oregon’s history of forest product innovation while showcasing what is possible for the future of mass timber design and sustainable wood sourcing. All of the 3.5 million board feet (8,250 m³) of wood used for the roof was sourced within a 300-mile (480km) radius of Portland Airport, including wood from small family-owned forests, non-profits, and tribal nations.
The project’s sustainable design sets a new benchmark for airports worldwide. The main terminal achieves a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot with a highly efficient, all-electric ground-source heat pump while doubling terminal capacity. A second phase of the project is currently underway and is expected to complete in early 2026.
To learn more about the project, visit: PDX Airport Main Terminal Expansion
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