en.Wedoany.com Reported - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has expanded Concourse C vertically, increasing its floor area from 114,000 square feet to over 229,500 square feet to address space constraints.

Turner Construction served as the project's general contractor-construction manager. The project added four floors above the existing concourse building on the former back-office area, launching in summer 2022, with major construction beginning in 2024, and culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 11. The total project cost is $399 million, funded through a combination of airport development funds and future revenue bonds, with no taxpayer money used.

SEA is one of the most space-constrained airports in the U.S., while ranking 11th in passenger volume. Wendy Reiter, SEA's Managing Director, stated that the team could not expand outward, only upward. This approach created more comfort and functionality for passengers without losing any gates.

The connection area between Concourse C and Concourse D has been transformed into a brighter space, adding 10 new retail and dining outlets. The project is fully electric and features a grand staircase connecting the concourse level to a mezzanine with dining options. Inspired by mountain trails, a switchback staircase leads to the third floor, which houses the open-air "C Observation Deck" with a wooden terrace and basalt rock, offering views of the airport runways and the Olympic Mountains. The fourth and fifth floors are flexible spaces suitable for lounges and offices. The Port Authority maximized natural light and view corridors during the upward construction.

The main concourse floor is made of locally sourced terrazzo, forming the base of a stepped atrium. This amphitheater-like space features a live music performance area surrounded by dining and retail zones, known as the "C Market." Located near Gate C2, the atrium's design was inspired by local outdoor markets, particularly Pike Place Market. Additionally, the project includes a new 20,000-square-foot Alaska Airlines Lounge, office space, and capacity for further expansion.

Janet Sheerer, the Port Authority's project lead, noted that this project is situated in the middle of a very busy airport.

The "Tree of C" is the most striking visual element of the project, artistically enhancing the new building's western hemlock roof and highlighting the triangular wooden ceiling. Inspired by the folded facade, the wooden "trunk" solves the challenge of integrating structural columns into the design while ensuring a dome-like aesthetic for the gathering space. The trunk extends from the floor to the 30-foot-high ceiling, located halfway up the grand staircase.

Billy Schreiber, project lead at Woods Bagot, said the idea went through multiple iterations, and during the sketching process, it was found to be perfectly positioned, with surrounding traffic flow harmonizing with how the grand staircase integrates into the mezzanine. The project was designed jointly by Woods Bagot and The Miller Hull Partnership.

Kevin Stilwell, Vice President and Construction Executive at Turner, believes that airports are gateways to communities, and the Concourse C expansion offers passengers more opportunities to experience the Pacific Northwest.

The folded facade, patterned after the Pacific Northwest forest, wraps the southwest orientation, using alternating south- and west-facing glass panels with dynamic dimming capabilities. The 5-foot-wide glass panels are paired to minimize columns. The roof is angled relative to the runway as required by the Federal Aviation Administration to maximize interior space. A photovoltaic array on the roof is expected to provide up to 14% of the facility's power. These measures are part of the Port Authority's sustainability efforts, with the project aiming for LEED Platinum certification, the highest certification level for any SEA facility.

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