Aviation + Transportation

Every year, more than 750 million passengers make their way through aviation facilities designed by Fentress Studios, a Populous Company. In fact, these projects comprise over 85 million square feet and are valued in excess of $28 billion.

Consequently, Fentress Studios continues to rank among the top global Architecture + AE firms in aviation, making the top ten on Building Design + Construction’s Giants list for three of the past five years.

As a result of design excellence, technical innovation and customer service, our aviation portfolio has garnered over 200 awards including:

• Three airports in USA Today’s 10 Best Large Airports, Reader’s Choice 2024: Nashville International Airport (#2), Orlando International Airport (#4), and Denver International Airport (#5).
• IAH Mickey Leland International Terminal, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 4-Star Rating, 2025
• LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal, 10 Awe-Inspiring Airports Across the World by ArchDaily 2021
• Paine Field Passenger Terminal (#6), USA Today’s 10 Best Small Airports, Reader’s Choice 2021
• Incheon International Airport, World’s Best Transit Airport by Skytrax World Airport Awards™ 2020

Our vast and varied experience in aviation includes a wide variety of:

• Planning: Airport Master Plans, Terminal Planning Services
• New Construction
• Renovation + Expansion, including ADA Improvements
• Specialty Facilities: Air Traffic Control Towers, Federal Inspection Services, Baggage Handling Systems, Maintenance Hangers, Parking Garages,  Rental Car Facilities, Multi-Modal Facilities
• Bridges: Pedestrian + Vehicular
• Client Types: Public, Private + PPP
• Contract Types: Traditional, Bridging Documents, Design-Build, On-Call Contracts

Customers, and employees alike, value abundant daylighting, natural vegetation and excellent air quality. In fact, much of what makes an airport lift the human spirit also enhances environmental sustainability. Over the past three decades, we have refined an approach to sustainability that meets both the sustainability and budget objectives of our clients.

Furthermore, Fentress Studios has designed over 65 USGBC LEED-certified projects, including:

• Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX (LEED Gold)
• Air Traffic Control Tower at SFO (LEED Gold)
• Alaska Airlines Terminal 6 Renovation at LAX (LEED Gold)
• New Passenger Terminal at Paine Field (LEED Gold)
• Concourse E Extension at PDX (LEED Gold)
• New Concourse D + Terminal Wings at BNA (LEED v4 Silver)
• North Satellite Concourse at SEA (LEED Silver)
• Central Service Yard at SJC (LEED Silver)
• Central Terminal B at SMF (LEED Silver)
• Terminal B at SJC (LEED Silver)

Karen Gilbert
Director of Business Development
kgilbert@fentressarchitects.com
+1.303.282.6120