Airport expansion aims to become the greenest in the U.S.
The new expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is a showcase of sustainable design. It is also a celebration of the natural landscape itself. It’s an airport design for a greener future.
Continue reading below
Our Featured Videos
The C Concourse Expansion at SEA was designed by Miller Hull and Woods Bagot. SEA is operated by the Port of Seattle, which has a clear and distinct goal: to become the greenest, most energy-efficient port in all of North America.
Related: CLT and local materials comprise new airport terminal
The concourse has been designed with multiple sustainable features. Rooftop photovoltaics provide solar energy, while the electrochromic glazing on the windows prevents energy loss. The heating and hot water systems doesn’t use fossil fuel energy. There are also low-flow water fixtures everywhere. Carbon reduction strategies and biophilic design principles were used throughout the design.
Thank you!
Keep an eye out for our weekly newsletter.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive the latest in global news and designs building a better future.
Additionally, the design will add fur new floors to the existing design. The Grand Stairs serve as a centerpiece for Concourse 2. The stunning design includes seating, views of the airfield and space for music and art. There are multiple dining and retail options.
“You can feel the difference now at the newly modernized N Concourse and soon to open International Arrivals Facility. The C Concourse Expansion is what’s next in how SEA serves travelers, and we can’t wait,” said SEA Managing Director Lance Lyttle.
In the coming years, the airport will continue to evolve. Upcoming projects include a modernization of the N Concourse and a brand-new International Arrivals Facility.
Moreover, the natural forests of the Pacific Northwest inspired the design. The canopy effect of the grand stairs, the way the building captures light, the size and scale of the concourse itself all evoke the natural grandeur of the Washington state landscape. The concourse also includes areas for farmers’ markets, dining areas and retail spaces. There’s even an amphitheater for live performances.
Like the forest itself, the shell of the building collects energy and modulates light. Materials used in the public areas were picked to reflect the textures of Seattle itself, the markets and the nature that give this city its distinct look and feel. Meanwhile, gorgeous views of the airfield and the Olympic Mountains beyond create an amazing backdrop. It’s a reminder of how powerful and important nature really is.