At Portland International Airport, PDX, there have been some big changes. The years-long main terminal redevelopment is currently in its final phase.
The 9-acre timber roof makes the terminal stand out as an architectural wonder. Timber for the structure came from local sources, including small family-owned lots and tribal lands. The timber was harvested within 300 miles of the airport. PDX received the Best Design in North America award in 2025.
One thing I like most about the renovated PDX is the abundance of live plants. The design includes 72 mature trees and 5,000 other plants. The wooden beams bring warmth; the plants bring a sense of calm to stressed-out travelers.
It’s a great atmosphere to take a leisurely stroll through. When you’re wandering around the terminal, you might want to visit one of the airport’s 24 stores or 34 restaurants.
The redevelopment includes beautiful elements, but it also includes practical ones.
- The main terminal is designed to withstand a magnitude 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The columns holding up the roof essentially ‘float’ separately from the ground.
- To decrease the need for artificial lighting, the terminal included portals with views of the sky. There are 49 of these skylights in the building.
- Underground, a groundwater heat pump system warms and cools the building as needed. Even though the building size increased by 40%, it will decrease its energy usage by half.
The budget for this project was $2.15 billion. Yes, that’s with a ‘b’, not an ‘m’. The redevelopment will help accommodate the millions of customers expected to use the facility, but it will also include a nod to its past.
PDX carpet
In 2015, the airport’s special projects division announced it would replace the carpet. The iconic carpet, designed by a local architectural firm, was installed in 1988. There was such a public outcry against the planned removal of the carpet that the airport revised its plans.
To help heal the wounds inflicted during the Great PDX Carpet Replacement Tragedy, PDX will install a newly manufactured version of the beloved carpet in ten locations. You can use the map on this site to find them when you visit the airport. Yeah, really! 😀
What happened to the old, worn-out carpet? Four area businesses won contracts to remove it. When one announced they would sell framed one-foot squares and two-by-three-foot floor mats, “the cars were lined up all the way down the street.” Other businesses sold luggage tags, coasters, magazine racks, sling-back chairs, and ottomans made from the remnants. There is a reason for the well-known slogan, “Keep Portland Weird.”
Now you may have a better understanding of why PDX is often on various best airport lists. They’ve put a lot of time into making the airport beautiful, safe, and energy efficient, but also considered the voice of the people.
Other wonders nearby
After viewing all the architectural wonders at PDX over your head and below your feet, Mother Nature will show you a few of her wonders once you are airborne. Mt. Hood is a short distance from the airport and I can’t help but smile every time I fly over it.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Looking back at challenge #1: Wonder
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge (WPWC) – Leisurely
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