Project Description
From the exterior architectural expression to the interior public spaces, Terminal C North at George Bush Intercontinental Airport elevates the passenger experience and establishes a new benchmark for U.S. airline terminal facilities.
The 318,000-sq.-ft., two-level concourse for United Airlines includes 14 boarding gates that accommodate a mix of wide- and narrow-body aircraft. Airline operations support spaces are located on the lower level and passenger areas are housed on the upper level.
An inverted roof form on the concourse exterior echoes an aircraft wing silhouette both landside and airside, effectively raising the ceiling height to 32 feet in the boarding areas and providing panoramic airfield views. Placement of the primary column grid 6-1/2 ft. away from the curtainwall enables unobstructed views.
Soaring to 48 feet at the central “hub” of the concourse, the design features eight V-columns to support the wing-inspired roof above. These dramatic columns also provide the primary lateral bracing for this portion of the structure.
High-efficiency exterior glazing features a frit pattern, inspired by the airline’s meridian branding element, that provides effective solar shading. Sunshades on the east-west facades protect the interior from direct sunlight.
In the north pier concourse, passengers follow a “meandering path” flow toward their departure gates, framed by unique concessions that create winding borders to the primary concourse. To reinforce this concept, the lighting design ebbs and flows above, created through varied lengths and placement of LED slot fixtures. Popup roof clerestory windows interspersed along the length of the concourse inject natural daylight to the center of the 110-ft.-wide concourse. LED blue lighting adds dramatic color to the space and ties in with airline branding.
The destination holdrooms include custom-designed, technology-enhanced lounge-style seating. Themed food and beverage locations are seamlessly placed within each gate area to complete the customer experience.