San Antonio International Airport
Project Stats
- Location
San Antonio International Airport
- Size
900,000 SF of Improvements
- Market
- Expertise
Capturing the City’s Character in a Design Built for the Future
San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the U.S. and growing rapidly. Corgan, in partnership with Lake|Flato Architects, has created a transformational moment for the city with their design for a new 900,000 square-foot, 17-gate terminal facility for the San Antonio International Airport. The new airport revives the site into an authentic regional experience and meets the needs of an expanding, vibrant community. The vision of the design was to create an inviting front door that honors the city’s history while expressing a bold vision for the future. This state-of-the-art new terminal not only increases the capacity of the airport but connects existing terminals A and B for a more unified passenger experience. The project’s expected completion date is 2028.
An Authentic and Inspired Regional Journey
Designers began with the airport’s vision of creating a distinct first impression for visitors that embodied the rich character of San Antonio. Regional authenticity was a focus, as was providing a genuine sense of place to travelers so the design team embarked on an overall plan to create a destination airport for travelers offering a personalized and relaxed journey. Vistas inspired by the city’s most recognized locales will greet arriving passengers. Drawing inspiration from the Texas Hill Country and the exuberance of the iconic Riverwalk, the design incorporates natural materials, warm earth tones, and elements reflective of the region’s landscape to create a uniquely San Antonio experience for passengers. Great hovering shed roofs shelter the three great rooms of Terminal C: ticketing, the Gateway Terminal, and the Mercado Food and Retail Hall, reminiscent of outdoor markets.
Reaching for the Future
For the exterior design, the team created a look inspired by the historic architecture of the surrounding hill country and crafted plans that looked to the future while rooting this city gateway in its cultural legacy. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a 60-foot garden, inspired by the shaded Cypress paseos and covered bridges of the Riverwalk.
Visitors may take respite in an authentically designed walkway with seating among quiet, more intimate places. The terminal features a lush landside pathway and a post-security outdoor patio, which blends comfort with a sense of place. San Antonio is home to the largest Mexican market in the U.S. The reimagined design added traditional yet modernized touches throughout to re-create local flavors. Passengers can gather in the invigorated performance space to enjoy local musical entertainment.
The mercado further creates a sense of place with flooring materials that replicate pavings from local communities and tall overhead space with abundant daylight further evoking an indoor-outdoor aesthetic. More spaces for small groups to congregate and individualized workstations were expanded for business travelers. Concessions were also placed closer to lounge areas, ensuring a smooth passenger experience
Mass Timber Bring Warmth and Sustainability
San Antonio International Airport and the City of San Antonio placed a premium on sustainability. The project team integrated mass timber prominently in the design which further added to the warmth and authenticity of the airport. A mass timber structural system will be applied in most of the passenger areas. Throughout the new terminal, the charm and warmth of the region is conveyed with native plants, trees, and earth tones. The project also includes a modernized ground transportation center, parking garage, utility plant and roadways, each integrating sustainable design strategies.
Setting a New Standard for Inclusivity
Providing state-of the-art accessibility is a key focus of the new terminal. The region is home to many medical facilities that provide critical services and care to veterans and military personnel. San Antonio is also the site of the world’s first amusement park designed for individuals with special needs. The project team recognized the opportunity to engage the local community, which resulted in insights about design, technology, and the strong desire for independence in the passenger journey. The final design prioritized enhanced accessibility and support for military travelers, setting a new standard for inclusivity.
By honoring the spirit of San Antonio, this transformed facility paves the way for a new era of travel. Corgan is the master architect and is providing programming, planning, schematic design, design development, construction documentation and administration services in collaboration with Lake|Flato.
