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2026 SIR Awards: The Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion Project

September 22, 2026
By Karla Holland

The Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion Project:

Rooted in Oregon, Built for the Future

Owner: Port of Portland
General Contractor: Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture, a partnership between Portland-based Hoffman Construction Company and Skanska USA

On average, American airport terminals are 40 years old and in need of renovation, and Portland International Airport’s main terminal, which had been completed in the 1980s, was no different. In 2007, the Port of Portland initiated a three-year conversation with the City of Portland and the wider Portland-Vancouver metropolitan community, resulting in a long-range master plan and vision. The master plan led to the formation of PDX Next, the Port of Portland’s $2 billion program comprised of four transformative projects including the expansion of Concourse E (completed in 2020), a new Concourse B (completed in 2021), a new parking addition and consolidated rental car facility (completed in 2021), and the main terminal expansion, completed in 2026.

The Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion is more than the largest public infrastructure project in Oregon history; it is a remarkable example of how visionary planning and construction innovation can transform a transportation hub into a destination that reflects the values of an entire region.

From the outset, the Port of Portland established an ambitious vision: keep the airport fully operational throughout construction, prioritize sustainability, create a flexible terminal capable of adapting to future needs, and deliver a space that celebrates the unique character of the Pacific Northwest. Achieving all of these goals simultaneously required extraordinary collaboration and ingenuity.

Perhaps no feature better represents that vision than the terminal’s breathtaking nine-acre mass timber roof, the first of its kind at a major U.S. airport. Constructed with more than 3.5 million board feet of wood sourced entirely from forests within 300 miles of the airport, the roof stands as both an engineering achievement and a commitment to responsible forest stewardship. Six years of collaboration among architects, engineers, sustainable forestry professionals, local mills, family forest owners, and Tribal Nations created a first-of-its-kind “forest-to-frame” supply chain that supported healthy forests while strengthening local economies. More than 70 percent of the timber came from Forest Stewardship Council-certified or ecologically managed forests, and a significant portion was harvested from tribal lands, recognizing generations of stewardship and sustainable land management.

The roof’s construction was as innovative as its sourcing. Built in massive, prefabricated modules, some weighing more than 600,000 pounds and approaching the size of a football field, each section was carefully assembled, transported across the airfield, and installed overnight while the airport remained fully operational. This modular construction approach reduced risk and improved quality and worker safety. It also minimized disruption for the millions of travelers passing through PDX each year.

The expansion also sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction. Rather than demolishing the existing terminal and starting over, the project team chose to renovate and expand in place, preserving much of the existing structure. That, combined with the extensive use of mass timber, optimized steel and concrete, and efficient building systems, reduced the project’s carbon footprint by approximately 70 percent compared to constructing an entirely new terminal. The building grew dramatically in size, but its energy use per square foot was cut in half through an all-electric ground-source heat pump system, the use of natural daylight, and other innovative energy-saving technologies.

Inside the terminal, the design, inspired by the forests of the Pacific Northwest, creates an atmosphere that feels more like a walk through a woodland park than a traditional airport terminal. More than 70 living trees and thousands of plants filter the natural light through nearly 50 skylights and expansive glass walls, creating a calming environment that reduces stress and connects travelers with Oregon’s natural landscape. These biophilic design principles not only enhance the passenger experience but also improve indoor environmental quality.

Just as important as its environmental accomplishments is the project’s commitment to adaptability and long-term resilience. The terminal was designed to serve generations of travelers by anticipating future changes in technology and the resulting passenger processing and airport operations. A long-span structural system supported by only 34 massive Y-shaped columns creates expansive, column-free spaces that will allow security checkpoints and ticketing areas to evolve as needs and technology change. The facility is also engineered to withstand a magnitude 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, ensuring that one of Oregon’s most critical transportation facilities will remain resilient for decades to come.

The project’s impact extends far beyond architecture and engineering. Throughout planning and construction, the Port of Portland intentionally invested in the local economy, awarding more than $274 million in contracts to over 140 small local businesses, creating opportunities for thousands of skilled tradespeople throughout the region. More than 30,000 workers contributed to building the new terminal, requiring collaboration across every construction trade. The commitment to local businesses continues today, with every new restaurant and retail shop in the terminal locally owned, ensuring that travelers experience the authentic flavors and products that make Oregon unique while supporting entrepreneurs from the surrounding community.

Every design decision reinforces the project’s central purpose: creating an airport that belongs to the people it serves. The incorporation of regional artists and neighborhood-inspired streetscapes celebrate the character of the Pacific Northwest while providing a world-class passenger experience. And the beloved airport carpet returned to its rightful place.

Successfully completed on time, on budget, and without a single day of airport closure, the Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion demonstrates what is possible when sustainability, innovation, adaptability, and community investment guide every decision. By reducing its carbon footprint, creating flexible infrastructure for the future, preserving a connection to nature through its remarkable timber roof and living landscape, and strengthening hundreds of local businesses, this project has established a new standard for airport design.

For its extraordinary commitment to environmental leadership, engineering innovation, economic opportunity, and enduring public value, the Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion is a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 SIR Award.

General Contractor

Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture, a partnership between Portland-based Hoffman Construction Company and Skanska USA

Architects

ZGF Architects

Landscape Architects

PLACE Landscape Architects

Biophilic Design Consultants

Terrapin Bright Green

Collaborators

PAE Consulting Engineers – MEP
GRI – Geotechnical Engineer

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