Portand International Airport (PDX) recently reopened its main terminal after undergoing a $2.15 billion renovation. The renovations are far from standard, with a focus on bringing the outdoors inside. Travelers arriving and departing can expect to be met with a forest growing inside the terminal, complete with live trees, plants, and natural light through the wooden roof creating the effect of a forest canopy. This design aims to enhance the traveler journey and reduce stress, with 5,000 plants suspended from the ceiling and below the trees, giving the look and feel of a regional forest.
In addition to the indoor forest, the terminal design includes 49 skylights that provide travelers with the feeling of walking in a Pacific Northwest forest. This not only offers an aesthetic appeal but also helps reduce the need for electrical lighting and cuts energy use per square foot in half. The wood used for the airport terminal was sourced from within 300 miles of the airport, with the ceiling wood traced back to 11 family-owned, non-profit, and Tribal forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The design of the terminal aims to evoke a sense of wonder and delight, reflecting the pride and love for the Pacific Northwest region.
PDX will continue to offer occasional appearances from therapy llamas and alpacas as part of the airport’s pet therapy program. These animals visit the airport a couple of times per month to soothe and delight travelers. The TSA experience has also been upgraded to match the outside world, with video walls throughout the TSA checkpoints displaying PNW-inspired landscapes and vignettes that sync with real-time data. The focus of the entire project was to reflect the love for the region in the new PDX, with decisions being driven by the desire to work with local businesses and use local materials.
The expansion of the airport is being done in two parts, with the second and final phase expected to be completed in early 2026. This phase will include permanent exit lanes, meet-and-greet areas, and more local shops and restaurants. The effort to incorporate local art and shops from favorite neighborhoods contributes to the sense of the Pacific Northwest being at the heart of the airport design. Overall, the new terminal at PDX aims to provide travelers with a unique and stress-free experience that reflects the beauty and wonder of the Pacific Northwest region.
