George Bush Intercontinental Airport
International Arrivals Building
Houston
PGAL

Massive arrivals hub handles passengers securely

© Richard Payne, FAIA

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The new International Arrivals Building at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the signature architectural element of the airport’s new image and functions as the international gateway to the City of Houston. Serving the existing international terminal D, and the newly opened terminal E, it can process 4,500 international passengers per hour through 84 inspection booths, twelve baggage examination stations, and three X-ray security scanners—making it among the largest such facilities worldwide. PGAL directed the design and fit-out of all interior spaces and coordinated federal security requirements. The architect designed the arrivals building to complement existing terminals at the airport and serve as a guide for future construction.

The building’s key design elements include arched wing-like tiered roofs over the ticket lobby and arrivals hall, which draw light into the spaces below and create an open and dynamic atmosphere. Exposed trusses span the open width of column-free interior spaces. A central atrium spine acts as a spring point for the arched roof tops. Two elliptical elevator towers provide a kinetic vertical counterpoint to the motion of pedestrians circulating horizontally throughout the building. A network of underground rail lines as well as an elevated automated people-mover system connects the arrivals building to the airport’s other terminals.

Wing-shaped enclosures, fabricated of woven stainless steel and aluminum, provide a sense of scale within the arrivals hall, recalling both the roof form and the imagery of flight while concealing vital building utilities such as HVAC ductwork, fire suppression, lighting, and telecommunications systems. Interior finishes include terrazzo flooring with mother of pearl inlay, woven stainless steel, and curved aluminum wall panels. Materials on the building’s exterior consists of precast concrete, metal panels, and large expanses of fritted glazing. In collaboration with the Cultural Arts Council of Houston, the architect commissioned nine artworks for both interior and exterior spaces.

The project’s bid date, originally scheduled for the fall of 2001, was delayed by three months to meet additional design challenges that arose in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Significant changes in security protocol included an increase in screening lanes, security checkpoints, and the addition of larger baggage screening equipment that required enlarging the original layout. Even with these and other changes, PGAL maintained the project’s original completion date.

Formal name of Project:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, International Arrivals Building

Location:
Houston

Gross square footage:
800,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$200 Million

Owner:
Houston Airport System

Architect:
PGAL
201 North Union Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-0588 tel.
703-836-8027 fax
www.pgal.com