en.Wedoany.com Reported - The $400 million expansion of Concourse C at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, designed by Miller Hull Partnership and Woods Bagot, is now open.
The new addition features a sloped roof equipped with solar panels and glass windows, with a plan shape resembling an accordion. The glass windows filter multicolored light into a new atrium centered around a grand staircase.
According to the architects, the rooftop solar panels are the first photovoltaic installation at the airport. The project is also the airport's first all-electric building and features its first airside public outdoor space. The expansion is also the first at the airport to target LEED Platinum certification.
Supported by the Port of Seattle, the Concourse C expansion adds four floors between Concourses C and D, expanding the concourse area from 81,000 square feet to approximately 230,000 square feet.
Wendy Reiter, Managing Director of SEA Airport, noted at the opening that Seattle Airport "is one of the most space-constrained airports in the U.S., yet serves the 11th highest number of passengers." With limited room for horizontal expansion, building upward was the best option.
The space occupied by the concourse was previously closed to passengers and accessible only to airport staff. Now, new amenities are centered around the "Tree at C," a wooden sculptural element extending from the new grand staircase.
Formally, the "Tree at C" and the atrium ceiling share similarities with ZGF's new terminal expansion at Portland International Airport. Both projects in the Pacific Northwest use wood to create a more biophilic experience for travelers. Miller Hull stated that the two-story atrium was inspired by Seattle markets, such as the famous Pike Place Market, which the firm expanded in 2015.
In the new concourse, the floors are finished with terrazzo. The mezzanine offers excellent views overlooking the airport's exterior landscape.
In addition to restaurants and kiosks, other new amenities include a sensory room, an interfaith prayer and meditation room, and a lactation room.
Katy Mercer, Principal at Woods Bagot, stated that the Concourse C expansion is "more than just a transportation hub," but also "a reflection of the world it serves and the collaborative process behind it." Mercer further elaborated that one of the goals was "to create an authentic experience where every traveler can find a sense of belonging, and every corner tells the story of the place it represents."
For Rich Whealan, Principal at Miller Hull, the design team also aimed to create an environment for passengers to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. "As the day progresses, the concourse responds to the ever-changing light and weather of the Pacific Northwest," Whealan said in a statement. "On overcast days, views are maximized, highlighting the airport runways and the Olympic Mountains, while soft, uniform daylight fills the interior, enhancing comfort and connecting travelers to the surrounding landscape," Whealan continued.
