San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) new Terminal 2, designed by Gensler as a sustainable space, will be unveiled in 2011
The $383 million new Terminal 2 (T2) will be the first LEED Gold-certified airport terminal in the US. Spanning over 640,000 square feet, it will serve as Virgin America’s home base.
The T2 will incorporate a host of environmentally-friendly elements in its design. It includes utilisation of natural light, modern ventilation systems that require 20% less energy and a reclaimed water reuse program. A notable element of the T2 will be ‘Hydration Stations‘, which will allow flyers to fill reusable water bottles, reducing the volume of waste created by single-use water bottles. Skylights and clerestories enable the infiltration of natural daylight into the ticketing lobby and retail areas, reducing electricity usage during the day.
T2 will feature the first airport dining program in the US to recruit Slow Food vendors. It will feature organic food vendors, offering food grown locally. A preferential parking slot will be provided for hybrid cars. T2 will also connect to the Bay Area Regional Transportation System (BART), to enable easy transportation from airport to city on mass transit. About 90% of construction and demolition debris has been recycled from the T2.
Serving as Virgin America’s home base, T2 will also feature unique ‘Virgin‘ elements. It includes LED ticket counters that change colours based on outside lighting; gates designed with living room-like spaces; and common spaces that allow travelers to shop, relax, work, eat and play within visual sight of their gate.
T2´s Recomposure Zone will feature a stress-reducing zone for travelers housing a hanging art installation named ‘Air Ocean’ by Janet Echelman in line with the airline’s cabin music, moodlighting, seating and design. The space will feature laptop plug-in stations, elevated work counters and free wireless throughout. A baggage-claim area with illuminated soffits, inspired by San Francisco’s distinctive cloud patterns, will also be featured.
T2 is scheduled for completion in late 2010. Virgin America will occupy seven of 14 gates at T2.
The liveeco team
