Award-winning mass timber airport completed

Award-winning mass timber airport completed July 2, 2026 | 9:19 am CDT

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Woodworking Industry News

Design

Award-winning mass timber airport completed

By

Dakota Smith

July 2, 2026 | 9:19 am CDT

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Featuring a 9-acre mass timber roof, the terminal evokes the feeling of walking through a Pacific Northwest forest. Photo by ZGF. 

PORTLAND, Ore., The second and final phase of the globally acclaimed Portland International Airport (PDX) main terminal expansion is now open. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the one million-square-foot project is the largest public infrastructure project delivered in Oregon's history and realizes a decade-long vision to create a more welcoming, sustainable, and distinctly Pacific Northwest gateway for travelers.

Since phase I opened in 2024, the terminal has received multiple international honors, including the Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Airport award, Fast Company's Best Design in North America distinction, and recognition from the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.

Views of the airfield, abundant natural light, and interior landscapes that celebrate the beauty of the region are present at every step of the passenger journey.

The second phase introduces a distinct arrival experience for passengers landing at PDX. New exit lanes on the north and south ends of the terminal streamline concourse connections, leading arriving passengers to a new descent to baggage claim. Expanded post-security gathering areas create comfortable spaces for welcoming arriving travelers, while skylit all-user restrooms, new local retail and dining options, and art installations complete the passenger experience.

“PDX provides a gateway to the Pacific Northwest, offering an unforgettable introduction to what makes this place so special,” said ZGF Managing Partner Sharron van der Meulen. “This project would not have been possible without the Port of Portland’s vision and dedication, along with the collaboration of our talented project partners. We’re incredibly grateful for their collective effort to deliver a terminal that is beloved by the community and travelers alike.”

The $2 billion terminal renovation and expansion is the largest mass timber project of its kind. Instead of building an entirely new terminal, the Port of Portland and ZGF decided to renovate and expand in place, keeping the airport fully operational throughout five years of phased construction while realizing schedule, time, and carbon savings. The strategy was made possible, in part, by a prefabricated wood roof that spans the entire terminal.

“Thousands of local workers brought our shared vision to life, using locally sourced materials and setting a new bar for how it should be done, resulting in an airport that couldn't have been built anywhere else. I couldn’t be prouder of this special place we built together," said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland.

The project’s sustainable design sets a new standard for airports worldwide, says ZGF. The main terminal expansion doubles passenger capacity while achieving a 50% reduction in energy use per square foot with a highly efficient, all-electric ground-source heat pump. Resilient design strategies enable the terminal to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

The Portland International Airport Main Terminal project team includes Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture, KPFF, Arup, PAE, Swinerton, and more.

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About the author

Dakota Smith

| Assistant Editor

Dakota is an assistant editor at Woodworking Network, avidly exploring the woodworking industry.

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