Designing Slc Airport: The Visionary Architects

who designed the new slc airport

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is undergoing a $5.1 billion redevelopment program that began in 2014. The project, known as The New SLC, is being carried out in four phases, with the first phase completed in 2020. The new airport is designed by HOK and is expected to be completed in 2026, accommodating 34 million passengers per year. The design incorporates sustainability, art, and local businesses to create a multi-sensorial experience.

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The new SLC airport was designed by HOK

The new Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) was designed by HOK and opened in September 2020. The project cost $4.1 billion and is the biggest public works project in Utah's history. The new SLC airport is the first new US hub airport built in the 21st century.

The airport is designed to be art-filled, multi-sensorial, and future-proof. It features a unique Greeting Room designed for large family greeting parties, which are common in Utah. The airport will also include art installations, a mini retail plaza, and a greeting room for welcoming arriving travellers.

The new SLC airport is also designed with sustainability in mind. It is one of the few airports in the US to achieve LEED Gold certification, with initiatives including high-performance glazing, daylighting, energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems, waste minimization, water conservation, and renewable energy implementation. The airport is also the first in the US to have automated inspection of large checked items, with a processing capacity of 3,540 bags per hour in summer and 3,276 per hour in winter.

The new SLC airport is designed to accommodate 34 million passengers per year, a significant increase from the old airport's capacity of 10 million passengers per year. The airport has four runways and covers 7,700 acres, with the new facility footprint totalling 296.7 acres.

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SLC's $5.1 billion rebuild

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has undergone a $5.1 billion rebuild, known as the New SLC, to create a modern hub airport with improved functionality, sustainability, and capacity. The project, which began in 2014, is the first new US hub airport built in the 21st century and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The new SLC airport is designed to meet the needs of Salt Lake City for decades to come and to be adaptable to the constantly changing aviation industry. The former facilities were not efficient for use as a hub airport, with outdated designs that did not meet modern earthquake safety standards. The new terminal improves airplane parking, reducing bottlenecks and allowing airlines to get planes back in the air more quickly, resulting in fewer delays for passengers.

The new SLC airport also incorporates sustainability initiatives, achieving LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. These initiatives include high-performance glazing, daylighting, energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems, waste minimization, water conservation, and renewable energy implementation. The linear layout of the new SLC is 30% more efficient than the previous pier configuration, reducing taxi times and aircraft idling while waiting for a gate.

The airport's capacity has also been expanded to accommodate a larger number of passengers. The old SLC airport was built to handle 10 million passengers per year, but in 2023, SLC recorded nearly 27 million annual passengers. The new SLC is being built to accommodate up to 34 million passengers per year, with improved facilities for ski and golf sports equipment.

In addition to these functional and sustainable improvements, the new SLC airport also features art installations, retail spaces, and greeting rooms. The airport partnered with artist Gordon Huether to create large-scale art installations, including "The Canyon" and "The Peaks", which greets travellers on their arrival at SLC. The new SLC airport aims to infuse local business, art, and food to create a unique sense of place and a multi-sensorial experience for travellers.

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SLC's LEED Gold Certification

The new Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is designed by multiple firms, including Brazier Montmorency Hayes & Talbot, Gensler, and Holder-Big D—A construction joint venture (HDJV). The airport has undergone significant expansion and redevelopment since 2014, with the construction of new facilities, including rental car centres, parking garages, terminals, concourses, tunnels, and an elevated roadway.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is one of the few airports in the United States to achieve the prestigious LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world's most widely used green building rating system. It provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, offering environmental, social, and governance benefits.

LEED certification is based on a point system, with projects earning points by adhering to prerequisites and credits across various categories, including carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. The more points a project earns, the higher its LEED rating.

SLC's new terminal complex, known as "The New SLC", excelled in sustainable design and operation, securing over 60 points, which is required for the Gold certification level. This level indicates a comprehensive adoption of best practices in sustainability and serves as an exemplary model of sustainability for other projects.

Some of the initiatives that contributed to SLC's LEED Gold Certification include:

  • High-performance glazing
  • Daylighting
  • Energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems
  • Waste minimization
  • Water conservation
  • Renewable energy implementation
  • Efficient configuration of terminal and gate locations, reducing taxi times, aircraft idling, fuel use, and emissions
  • LED-powered runway lights
  • Improved recycling efforts
  • Innovative baggage handling systems that reduce manual handling and inspections

The New SLC's linear layout is 30% more efficient than the previous pier configuration, showcasing the airport's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. This certification positions SLC as a leader in sustainable airport design and operation, reducing their environmental impact and enhancing the passenger experience.

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SLC's sustainability efforts

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has made significant sustainability efforts as part of its Airport Redevelopment Program, which began in 2014. The airport has received LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and is committed to minimising the negative environmental impact of aviation and enhancing its financial, human, natural, and energy resources.

One of SLC's notable sustainability initiatives is its focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The airport has achieved a significant reduction of 15,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually through various measures, including transitioning to electric ground support equipment and optimising aircraft taxi times with its parallel concourse design. Additionally, SLC has reduced aircraft idling times by implementing the SAFEGATE Aircraft Docking System, providing active guidance to pilots for safe and efficient parking.

SLC also prioritises energy efficiency and conservation. The airport has successfully decreased overall energy consumption by adopting LED lighting and utilising off-site renewable energy sources and on-site solar arrays. Furthermore, SLC has invested in electric vehicles (EVs) by adding six new EVs to its fleet and installing EV charging stations for both private and airport-related vehicles.

Water conservation is another key aspect of SLC's sustainability efforts. The airport has implemented low-flow and sensor-based water fixtures, reducing water consumption by approximately 40%. Additionally, SLC has recycled de-icing fluids and adopted drought-tolerant landscaping, saving 1.2 billion gallons of water through these practices.

SLC is also committed to waste reduction and recycling. The airport has doubled the number of recycling stations and improved waste diversion from landfills, maintaining a 95% waste diversion rate as of December 2019.

SLC's sustainability initiatives have been recognised, and the airport is on track to achieve LEED Gold Certification for the entire project upon its completion in 2026/2027.

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SLC's art installations

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is undergoing a $5.1 billion redevelopment program that began in 2014. The project, known as The New SLC, is considered the first new US hub airport built in the 21st century.

The airport will feature approximately 45,335 sq. ft. of retail concession space and approximately 75,140 sq. ft. of food and beverage space. The New SLC has also achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council due to its sustainability initiatives, including LED-powered runway lights, renewable energy programs, and improved recycling efforts.

The airport will also include various art installations as part of its design. While specific details about the art installations within the airport are scarce, one source mentions the inclusion of a reimagined version of the old airport's "World Map" reproduced in hanging glass.

In addition to the art installations within the airport, Salt Lake City itself is home to numerous art galleries and street art installations. The city features more than 80 murals and art installations that showcase the unique character and perspective of the city and its communities.

Notable street art installations in Salt Lake City include:

  • A 44-foot mural of the Virgin Mary gracefully facing the majestic mountains, created by El Mac & Retna.
  • An installation by Aaron T. Stephan featuring over 150 standard road signs along with the message, "You Are Here," inviting passersby to sit on a red bench and become part of the artwork.
  • A 23-foot-tall sculpture in a roundabout in the 9th and 9th neighborhood, designed by Stephen Kesler and known as "The Whale," which has become a symbol of community, resilience, and harmony.
  • A portrait of Salt Lake community activist Ella Mendoz, created by first-generation Colombian-American artist Jessica Sabolgal, located at 708 W. N. Temple.

Frequently asked questions

The new SLC airport was designed by HOK.

The new SLC airport cost $4.1 billion.

The old SLC airport was built to accommodate 10 million passengers per year.

The new SLC airport is being built to accommodate 32-34 million passengers per year.

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