Project Description

The Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal reflects Austin’s unique character, culture and heritage through its openness, its use of local materials and iconography and its relaxed, informal social character. The 680,000-square-foot, crescent-shaped terminal organization is simple and direct, providing easy orientation to the passenger and public. Its plan minimizes walking distances from curbside to gates, while maximizing visibility of the large central marketplace adjacent to the gate areas. From this central space, the building opens out onto the apron, planes and runways, as well as to the open countryside and big Texas skies beyond—combining this city’s love of nature and the outdoors with a connection to flight.

Sustainable design concepts were employed throughout the terminal, including natural daylighting which obviated as much as possible the need for supplemental artificial lighting. While exceeding the energy code requirements by more than the agreed target of 15%, the exterior envelope contains almost 40% clear glass. Low energy insulating glass was used throughout the exterior envelope, and fritted glass was used at strategically determined areas to eliminate glare and to further lower heat gain into the facility. Passive energy shading devices were incorporated throughout the southern façade.

Page was Architect of Record and provided architecture, interiors and mechanical and electrical engineering for the terminal, which was co-designed with Gensler Los Angeles.