The new Terminal D extension at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport) is designed with sustainability and the traveler experience in mind, with a high-tech approach and advanced design.
luis vidal + architects, creator of some of the world’s leading airports, including London’s Heathrow T2, was awarded the design contract in 2018 and serves as the design architect for this project in collaboration with HarrisonKornberg Architects and Arup. The project incorporates intelligent design, technological innovations and intuitive guidance to improve the user experience.
The new terminal offers four new passenger gates and one of 13,936 m2 (150,000 square meters), further expanding Terminal D. The new passenger gates include modern concession spaces, hold rooms, a US Federal/Customs inspection corridor to accommodate international travelers and a baggage handling extension . The design is also suitable for spacious layouts.
Luis Vidal + arquitectes also implemented high-tech glass facades facing the airport runways.
One of the key features of the facades was the use of sight glass. This technology allows the facade to serve as a communication tool, displaying flight details and airport alerts. In addition, dynamic glass automatically adjusts in response to the sun to increase access to natural light and views, improving people’s health and well-being by significantly reducing the chances of headaches, eye strain and drowsiness caused due to exposure to light, while saving energy.
The intentional placement of floor-to-ceiling windows and the way they bring in natural sunlight will limit the amount of solar radiation exposure the space needs, dramatically reducing energy consumption by 15 percent and reducing electricity costs, ultimately meeting the highest environmental standards and achieving sustainability certifications.
The main hall of the terminal, neutral in color and built with wood, ceramics and terrazzo, is conceived as a single room without barriers to limit the passengers’ field of vision. All seats have their own power sockets and access to QR codes that connect them to the concessions, allowing them to access all services from anywhere in the gate lounge.
Carefully integrated into the design, the new Terminal D extension is equipped with facial recognition and additional high-tech imaging technologies. While many airports currently use thermal imaging, these applications will become “silent” and less visible, running on an efficient technology platform that emphasizes personal safety and public health.
DFW Airport is the main international airport serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area in Texas. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is based near the airport. It is also one of the busiest airports in the world. It was named “Global Airport of the Year” by Air Transport World in 2019 and has been recognized by the UN and Reuters as one of the world leaders in sustainability.
“For this design, we infused light, acoustics, texture and sustainability to create a sophisticated and ‘seamless’ terminal,” says Luis Vidal, founder and president of Luis Vidal + Arquitectes. “Technology, materials and signage are carefully integrated to create a space where travelers feel comfortable while still having direct access to all airport amenities.”
