Gresham Smith-Designed CLT Terminal Lobby Expansion Recognized by AIA Richmond

9月 25, 2020

Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm’s design for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Terminal Lobby Expansion was honored with a Design Award from the American Institute of Architects Richmond chapter (AIA Richmond). The project team accepted the award virtually at AIA Richmond’s Honors & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 24.

“This award-winning project is a testament to our design team’s deep understanding of client needs and commitment to developing creative solutions that transform the passenger experience,” said Wilson Rayfield, AIA, LEED AP, Executive Vice President at Gresham Smith. “AIA celebrates the power of design to positively impact the community, so it’s a huge honor to be recognized by our industry peers for leading the way with purposeful architecture.”

CLT’s current terminal was designed to accommodate approximately 2.8 million passengers annually, however the airport saw over 44 million passengers in 2019. Gresham Smith’s 370,000-square-foot expansion and renovation to the terminal will support the airport’s growth while elevating the passenger experience. A statue of Queen Charlotte provided inspiration for the design, which pays homage to the Queen City’s rich local history and southern hospitality. Grand spaces that reference the statue’s movement are balanced by clean, understated modernism. Leading floor patterns and intuitive wayfinding will enhance circulation, while expanded security check points and baggage claims will reduce wait times. A 146,000 square-foot curbside canopy will protect arriving passengers and overhead and subterranean walkways will allow visitors to bypass airport roadways. Using a five-year phasing plan, the exterior canopy and pedestrian bridges will be constructed over an active roadway and the terminal will remain fully functional throughout the project.

AIA Richmond’s annual Design Awards program honors work designed by chapter members and brings public attention to outstanding examples of architecture. With juries composed of highly-qualified professionals offering diverse perspectives and expertise, all submissions are reviewed in the context of the project team’s goals and evaluated for thoughtfully designed resolution of those goals.