The Chicago Department of Aviation proposed five unique designs at the beginning of this year for the new global terminal at O’Hare Airport. They finally selected a winning design and we’d be lying if we said our jaws didn’t hit the floor.
Studio ORD will be responsible for constructing the global terminal, a small portion of an $8.5 billion expansion on the already existant Terminal 2. The 2.2 million-square-foot redesign would help incorporate both international and domestic flights by adding new gates, baggage facilities, and security screening areas, as well as lounging areas and more food stalls.
O’Hare has always been nicely lit, but this new structure would maximize the amount of daylight that filters through the area with a totally modern design. Steel trusses and massive glass pieces will be carefully erected into a star-shaped skylight much like the design on the Chicago flag. In fact, even the Y shape of the structure is reflective of the city, meant to represent the convergence of the Chicago River.
Designers plan to incorporate plenty of green space and a food court where flyers can rest up and enjoy a meal. There may even be a walkway above the concourse that offers unbeatable views of the O’Hare airfield.
While all of this sounds absolutely incredible, you’ll have to hold onto your excitement until 2023 when construction begins. Check back in with UrbanMatter for more updates on O’Hare’s new global terminal.