Category: Published News

Thomas J. Walsh Elevated to AIA College of Fellows

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: Fentress Architects proudly announces that Thomas J. Walsh has been elevated to the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, a distinction that recognizes exceptional work and contributions to the architecture profession and society. Fewer than 3% of AIA members hold the esteemed FAIA designation.

“Thom Walsh has been at Fentress Architects for 36 years, leading airport terminal projects throughout the U.S. and around the world,” said Curtis Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, Fentress Architects Principal in Charge of Design. “He has advanced the practice of terminal design, leading stakeholders, teams, and communities through large scale projects with complicated planning and phasing.”

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Designs Unveiled for New $400M State Government Office Building Downtown

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: Last week the state’s Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) voted to approve preliminary plans for the new Commonwealth Courts Building proposed for 900-908 E. Main St. 

The new courts building would replace the entire Pocahontas Building complex along Main Street with a new, 300,000-square-foot structure that’d house both the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Court of Appeals. Last summer the AARB voted to approve demolishing the roughly 100-year-old West Tower of the Pocahontas Building to make way for the new, 13-story courts building. 

Local architecture firm Baskervill is leading the design of the new courts building with D.C.’s Fentress Architects, and representatives from both firms provided the AARB a first-look at the Commonwealth Courts Building at last week’s meeting. After some deliberation, the AARB voted to approve the preliminary design. 

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Fentress Global Challenge 2024 Winners Announced

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

University students around the world envision airport design in 2100

Toronto Sun

Excerpt: Fentress Global Challenge (FGC) is an international design competition launched in 2011 by Curtis Fentress, founder and principal in charge of design for Fentress Architects. Speaking about the 2024 FGC winners, Curtis Fentress commented:

“The Fentress Global Challenge is always an inspiration. This year’s student submissions included an impressive array of visionary concepts for the future of airport design. The 2024 winners addressed many of the challenges and opportunities projected for airports in the coming decades – from designs that allow airports to evolve fluidly to new technologies, advanced standards for vertical take-off and landing, and sustainable design that improves both operations and passenger experience.”

This year’s students represented countries throughout the world, including Austria, China, Croatia, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and the USA.

Winners – 2024 Fentress Global Challenge

First Place: LAX Droplet – Vertical Take-Off and Landing

Second Place: Gen-Infinity – Vision for a 22nd Century Airport in Japan

Third Place: Manchester T4 – A Sustainable Gateway to Space

Honorable Mention: Para-Isla – Ninoy Aquino International Airport

2nd Place
3rd Place
Honorable Mention
1st Place
Read the full story | Learn more about Fentress Global Challenge

AIA elevates 93 architects to the College of Fellows

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating 83 member-architects and 10 non-member-architects to its College of Fellows, an honor awarded to architects who have made significant contributions to the profession. New Fellows will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) in Boston.

Newly elevated member: Thomas J. Walsh, AIA Colorado

Thom Walsh
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LEED-Certified Embassies in Washington, D.C. Highlight Countries’ Cultures & Values

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: At the northwestern end of Washington’s Embassy Row, the stretch of Massachusetts Avenue between the National Cathedral and Dupont Circle where a majority of the 175-plus embassies in our nation’s capital are sited, the Royal Norwegian Embassy pays homage to its country while respecting the scale and aesthetic of its residential neighbors. Hosting an approximately 50-person staff, the embassy comprised the ambassador’s 1931 Italianate-style residence and a two-story limestone chancery added in the 1970s. Following a 2016 survey of the chancery’s conditions, Fentress Architects, a USGBC Silver member, collaborated with embassy representatives to design a 30,000-square-foot renovation and expansion in 2022 that earned LEED Gold certification.

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Futuristic airport designs are revealed in Fentress Architects’ awards nominations

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: Fentress Architects announced a shortlist of projects for the firm’s 2024 Fentress Global Challenge (FGC). The 2024 call to action for graduate students was to design an airport terminal for the year 2100 CE. Students were encouraged to consider projections such as site availability, climate conditions, modes and destinations for air travel, and more that could impact the design.

Read the full story | Learn more about Fentress Global Challenge

New Cultural Center Tops Out in Five Points 

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: The state-of-the-art facility, designed by Fentress Architects, will feature a theater, dance studios, and educational spaces, all aimed at fostering creativity and providing a platform for diverse artistic expression. 

“We are thrilled to see our vision for the Center for the Healing Arts coming to life,” said Cleo Parker Robinson, founder and artistic director of CPRD. “This new facility will not only accommodate our growing needs but also serve as a vibrant hub for cultural diversity and artistic innovation in Denver.” 

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5 Unique Air Traffic Control Towers at US Airports That Stand Out From the Crowd

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: One slightly unnerving fact about the SFO airport is that it was built only four miles from the San Andreas Fault. Consequently, the San Francisco Airport control tower was designed by Fentress Architects to withstand magnitude 8.0 earthquakes. The tower rises 67 meters or 220 feet. Its multiple glass-fronted panels are illuminated by color-changing and programmable diodes that allow the tower to be lit up and change color for holidays and events.

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24 Facts About Incheon International Airport

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Excerpt: Incheon International Airport: A Marvel of Modern Engineering

Incheon International Airport, located in South Korea, is one of the busiest and most advanced airports globally. Here are some fascinating facts about this incredible hub of travel and technology.

01 Opened in 2001, Incheon International Airport quickly became a major gateway for travelers heading to and from Asia.

02 Built on reclaimed land, the airport was constructed on an artificial island between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands.

03 Designed by Fentress Architects, the airport’s architecture is inspired by traditional Korean culture, featuring elements like the curved rooflines of ancient palaces.

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2024 Southeast Best Projects

Posted on by Jessica del Pilar

Nashville International Airport Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility Receives Merit Award in Airport/Transit

Excerpt: “The design-build team [of Fentress Architects and Hensel Phelps] on this $445-million renovation, which broke ground in October 2019 and completed in September 2023, transformed a 35-year-old terminal with an intuitive design that optimizes the flow of passengers… Despite cost escalations during and after the pandemic, the project remained within budget and opened on schedule.”

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Nashville IAT
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