Renderings and reality

✈️ Have you seen the new PDX airport yet? It's amazing!

Oct 12, 2024

Do you remember the excitement of Christmas morning when you were a kid? Racing into the living room and seeing presents under the Christmas tree? The joy you felt unwrapping that special present? I do.

As I’ve gotten older, I sometimes find things more likely to underwhelm than to exceed expectations. Reality doesn’t always quite live up to what I imagine. I’m not sure if that’s a common experience or just my own.

Recently, I was reminded that sometimes reality can be even better than you imagined. Also: amazing things can happen when you think big.

This week we’re focusing on the design of the new Portland International Airport (PDX). It’s a first-person, first impressions photo essay. Come along with me and let me know how it lands for you.

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✈️PDX

The Port of Portland embarked on an ambitious expansion of the Portland International Airport (PDX) a few years ago (actually it was 2017 and here is a timeline of everything they’ve already done). For many years, PDX was the top airport in the US according to readers of Travel+Leisure. How would the Port of Portland expand and evolve this beloved airport?

Renderings

I remember when I first saw the renderings from its longtime design partner ZGF of the main terminal. Here is one of the outside:

Nice enough, but it was the inside renderings that really captivated me (and so many others). Here is the signature image that was released far and wide:

This is an airport? Amazing, right? I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

That was in 2020. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen renderings since then. In describing it, ZGF notes:

Upon entering the newly reimagined terminal core, the stunning 9-acre mass timber roof invites visitors to take a walk in the forest. The roof’s undulating form celebrates the history and the future of Oregon’s forest product innovation by showcasing wood that was sustainably and locally sourced from landowners and mills within a 300-mile radius of the airport. Expansive glazing provides views of the airfield and the surrounding forested landscape—and interior finishes that reference the region’s natural beauty make it clear upon arrival exactly where you have landed.

As the project has progressed over these past four years, I’ve seen status updates from time to time on LinkedIn (here’s one) and behind-the-scenes pictures of the incredible nine acre mass timber roof (said to be the largest in the US and the largest such mass timber structure in the world).

Last December, as I was traveling home for the holidays, I saw a little bit of the wood peeking out for the first time. I got excited.

Still, nothing prepared me for the sheer awe when I finally got to see the new PDX main terminal with my own eyes this year.

Today, I want you to see it, too. A warning: it just might make you want to book a flight to Portland to experience the airport yourself.✈️

Reality

PDX has cleverly used these giant Post It notes throughout the construction project and is continuing to do so (as another phase remains under construction until 2026).

Check In

Ticketing Halls

Whereas long ticketing counters used to confront you when you first stepped into the airport, the new airport has flipped ticketing from ↔️ to ↕️ and introduced the idea of ticket halls, more akin to what you see in some international airports in Asia or Europe.

If you need to check in or check a bag, you proceed to ticketing. But if you’ve already checked in and don’t any bags to check, you can just walk right by. Here is a first look:

Immediately, you notice the warmth of the wood overhead.

There is still carpet (this is PDX after all), but the new design has introduced these white terrazzo floors, which feels more modern.

It’s hard to fully appreciate the sense of volume in this space.

All of the airline signage now appears to be digital, making it easy to add airlines or rearrange as needed. Here is British Airways.

This view is looking back towards the entrance from the interior edge of the ticket halls.

Central Threshold

As you continue on, leaving the ticket halls, you are greeted by this view.

There are a few shops and restaurants to tempt you, but this is no ordinary duty free gauntlet. All of these establishments are local.

Look at this ceiling!

Here is a close up view of this detail.

Having gotten your coffee, you continue on. This sign reminds me of the big signs in European train stations and I get excited walking through.

You might pause to get oriented on the map.

The flooring here is Oregon white oak. And those trees? Yep, they are real. There are over 70 trees in the new main terminal.

The Garden

You continue on. This is your view.

It’s simply amazing! Sixty percent of the terminal is naturally daylit according to ZGF.

“Every part of the new terminal design aims to enhance the traveler journey and reduce stress. Travelers are immediately greeted with expansive views to the airfield, abundant natural light, and lush interior landscapes that create a sense of wonder and delight and evoke a walk through a Pacific Northwest forest.”
-Sharron van der Meulen, ZGF managing partner (source)

Walking through the garden, we turn left first. There’s a shop with another area above.

Here is a closer view.

Security Checkpoints

There are security checkpoints on either side of the airport. Queuing and clearing security can be a stressful part of the travel experience. To help address this, the design team created these panoramic 120 foot video walls that you’ll see below.

The Port commissioned local filmmakers and digital artists to create videos that highlight the nature and culture of Oregon. Passengers, whether waiting in the security queue or enjoying a bite on the Market steps, get to experience incredible views of Mt Hood, Oregon forests, the Pacific Coast, and cowboys on the eastern range lands. The imagery reel and speed changes depending on the weather, time of day, and size of crowds. On opening day, it was evident from watching people’s reactions that they were transfixed by these nature video images. [emphasis added] (source)

I have to admit: they are striking, mesmerizing.

The scenes are dynamic, continually evolving.

Here is a closer view.

And here is the scene as you prepare to enter the security line.

Here is a view looking to the side of the security checkpoints.

Market Hall

In the center of the new terminal is this market hall.

This next image gives you a better sense of the scale and volume of this space. You can see the 120 foot wide video walls above security in the back.

There is stadium-style seating on both sides.

Here is the view looking back towards the garden (and check in beyond that).

Upstairs there are seating areas — and some of the classic PDX carpet that people love so much.

There’s also a Loyal Legion upstairs with 96 beers on tap and a view of the airfield one direction and the massive wood ceiling the other direction.

Returning downstairs, I’m struck by the just how much wood (and how many types of wood) are in use in this new terminal.

Wood is not the only material used. There are also these tile mosaics outside the restrooms.

Signage

When I first saw the new signage, I worried that the line weights would be too thin and it impact readability at a distance.

Having now seen them in person, I can say I was wrong. They are clean, modern, and easy to read. Anyone know what type face this is? Frutiger perhaps?

So there you have it: a pre-security walk through of the new main terminal at Portland International Airport (PDX).

What do you think?

Go deeper

If you’d like to learn more, here is a curated collection of recent media coverage (bold = most recommended), organized by type of coverage:

🎬 Media embeds

I had fun taking pictures but sometimes video can convey things even better. I am including five short videos about the new PDX. Watch one or watch them all. I think you will enjoy seeing them.

1. A Walk in the Forest at PDX Airport

First up is a 5m16s production by the project architect, ZGF, that really speaks to the inspiration and provides a great overview of the project design.

2. Opening Day of the new PDX

Next is a fun 59s video by the Port of Portland that conveys the excitement of opening day. Spoiler: lots of smiles on people’s faces as they see it for the first time!

3. PDX: A Love Letter to the Pacific Northwest

Here is a short 57s “love letter” to the Pacific Northwest that does a nice job of showing off the airport:

4. Preview PDX’s New “Extraordinary Windows” video walls

This next one (17s) shows off the “Extraordinary Windows” video walls above the security checkpoints.

5. Brad Johnson’s ‘Terra Cascadia’ Lights Up PDX

And this final one (1m39s) highlights the inspiration and process behind one of the video installations on these giant 120 foot long video walls.

If this issue has you wanting to visit Portland, here are all of the nonstop flights to PDX. Travel Portland is a great resource for planning a trip. Never been? Here’s the perfect first trip. (And, no, this is not a sponsored post - I’m just trying to be helpful).

Thank you for being here. I really appreciate you and am excited to share this with you. Tell me about your favorite airport in the comments.

Be well,

-Bryce

Bryce's Blog

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