The $383M renovation of Terminal 2 at San Francisco International (SFO) is nearly complete. It is expected to open for a community open house April 9, with the first flights to utilize it April 14.
“Once again, San Francisco has led by example,” says San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “The completion of Terminal 2 at SFO is noteworthy on many levels. It is the most modern terminal in the country, it is uniquely sustainable and it has been designed specifically for how we travel today.”
The terminal, which will be the new home for American Airlines and Virgin America, was built in 1954 and renovated 30 years later. Until December 2000, it housed international flights.
“T2 demonstrates how we can achieve sustainability in a way that enhances the traveler experience,” says John L. Martin, airport director. “T2 is modern, comfortable, intuitive and better suited to meet the needs of today’s travelers. From the early design and construction practices to paperless ticketing, we have provided this experience using sustainable methods at every step along the way.”
The design of Terminal 2 will include club-like seating in the dining and waiting areas; a “recomposure” area after the security screening stations where passengers can reassemble their clothing and carry-on items; a food marketplace; computer connections with outlets and free Wi-Fi; tap-water hydration stations where travelers can fill reusable water bottles and a children’s play area.
“In T2, our goal is to reset traveler expectations. We’re striving to de-stress the travel experience, offer passengers a healthful, sustainable environment, and even delight people with fun things to do,” said Steve Weindel of Principal Gensler, the project’s architect.
It is also the first terminal in the U.S. to be LEED® Gold-Registered. It was built with progressive, sustainable features aimed at reducing carbon emissions as well as creating a more healthful environment for travelers and staff. Such features include natural light; cleaner air; a connection from the airport to the city via mass transit, eliminating travelers’ needs for their cars; waste stations with sections for composting, recyclables and trash; local-organic food vendors; dual plumbing system; paperless ticking; energy efficiency and sustainable building materials.
