Architect: Clark Nexsen
Project Location: Raleigh/Durham, NC
Project Completion Date: May 2014
Short Description: In the life of an airport terminal there comes a time when major renovation will be warranted. Such was the case at Terminal One of the RDU International Airport. Over the past decade, small upgrades had occurred but nothing to address the fundamental shortcomings of the existing facility. This major transformation of the terminal focused on enhancing the air passenger experience by integration of TSA security, new baggage-handling equipment, simplified wayfinding, incorporating public art, expanding passenger amenities and providing a light-filled contemporary terminal experience. From curbside to ticketing to security screening to boarding, the passenger experience has been carefully considered.
Architect’s Statement: The landside interior is conceived as a great hall, continuous from one end of the terminal to the other, with a high sloping ceiling. The lower level is mostly glass curtain wall while the upper level of this tall wall surface is a combination of translucent Kalwall and curtain wall. During daylight hours, diffused natural light fills the space. At night, the up-lit volume casts a soft, lantern like glow along the facade. The airside facade has been fully glazed with curtainwall providing views of the airfield and abundant natural light for the hold rooms. The most striking new architectural features in the project are the arrival and commercial curb canopies. From the approach to the terminal, the canopies gave the building a new architectural image. Similar in their detailing and material expression, these canopies extend some 650 feetalong the landside, changing only to identify the pedestrian crosswalk. At this crosswalk, the canopies structural expression is at its boldest. The canopies are steel framed elements with exposed structural steel members and tension rods. While providing shelter for airport passengers, the sloping canopies also service to indirectly reflect light on to the roadway. This lighting strategy eliminated the need for pole mounted fixtures. The interior at the terminal while bright, and fairly neutral in palette, is enhanced by incorporation of three fairly large public art installations. The design team worked closely with the artists to locate and fully incorporate their work into the architecture of the building.
Type of Construction: The canopies are steel framed elements with exposed structural steel members and tension rods. The structural steel is clad in aluminum panels over galvanized steel framing. The majority of the roof is single ply. The roof at the pedestrian crossing is Kalwall roof panels. The new facades are a combination of basalt stone at the landside base, curtain wall, insulated metal panels, and Kalwall translucent fiberglass panels. The terminal interiors incorporate painted GWB, high-impact wall panels, custom fabricated stainless steel wall panels and base, custom