en.Wedoany.com Reported - Woods Bagot's design for the Midfield Satellite Concourse South (MSC South) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was officially completed and delivered in April 2026. The terminal, with a total area of 150,000 square feet and featuring eight narrow-body aircraft gates, serves as an extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. It will significantly increase the airport's operational capacity ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Woods Bagot served as the design architect for the project, with W.E. O‘Neil Construction as the general contractor and construction manager, and Buro Happold responsible for structural engineering and sustainability consulting.
The MSC South project utilized Offsite Construction and Relocation (OCR) technology, marking its first large-scale application in the U.S. airport sector. According to the project team, the terminal was divided into nine independent modules. These modules were prefabricated in the airport's northern area, approximately 1.75 miles from the final installation site, and then transported one by one to their target positions during nightly operational windows using Mammoet self-propelled modular transporters. Each module measures about 140 feet by 80 feet and includes pre-installed curtain walls, internal partitions, some finishes, and MEP systems. Transport proceeded at a pace of one module every three days, with the overall assembly taking only about a month.
The building's exterior is defined by angled sunshade louvers (Brise-soleil). The louver system decreases in height along the facade, diagonally segmenting the volumes, with the upper parts covered by shading elements and the lower parts featuring exposed glazing. This design balances solar glare control with passive cooling for energy efficiency while framing views of the surrounding landscape. Matt Ducham, Woods Bagot's West Coast Design Leader, stated that the MSC South project "sets a new paradigm for major aviation projects in both delivery method and design thinking." For the interior design, floor-to-ceiling windows introduce natural light. The horizontal ceiling slats, window mullions, and louvers create a dynamic linear texture, drawing inspiration from California Case Study Houses and the broader tradition of California Modernist architecture.
The application of OCR technology effectively avoided the operational disruptions associated with prolonged construction in active runway and taxiway areas. Buro Happold's structural team noted that, as the site was surrounded on all sides by taxiways, hangars, and the MSC North terminal, traditional construction methods would have required partial closures of adjacent taxiways for months. Offsite construction allowed foundation and superstructure work to proceed concurrently. The steel structure uses bolted connections instead of welding, facilitating future disassembly, recycling, or redeployment. The project team is currently pursuing LEED Silver certification. The building's photovoltaic array, passive shading system, and lightweight steel structure form key components of its sustainable design framework.
The Los Angeles International Airport Midfield Satellite Concourse South is part of Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) multi-billion-dollar modernization program. The project will reduce the airport's reliance on remote stands. Passengers will be able to access the commercial retail areas, service facilities, and lounges of the MSC North and Tom Bradley International Terminals from the new concourse.
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