Terminal 2 at RDU

The decision to redevelop Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport was prompted by a mix of factors, including shifts in travel patterns, carrier operations, and technological innovations that allowed advancements that better serve the region’s residents while respecting the state’s aesthetic, academic and economic heritage.  The Terminal 2 project included the large scale and complex task of maintaining a fully operational airport environment throughout all phases of construction.

With the design and construction of this major redevelopment project, RDU is now home of state-of-the-art technology features, common-use facilities, and a fully automated in-line baggage screening system to simplify the security process.  Major exterior and interior architectural elements play off abstractions of the state’s past and future.  The rolling roofs of the terminal and concourse pay tribute to the hills of the Piedmont region, and curbside canopies evoke images of textile machines, honoring an industry that has long supported the local economy.

Inside, dramatic wood lenticular trusses arch overhead, paying homage to the region’s indigenous furniture and craft industries, as well as the native wooded countryside.  The design promotes intuitive wayfinding for passengers, and creates a column-free, long-span structure that maximizes flexibility for the future—essential in an industry that must respond quickly to change.  Additionally, extensive glass curtainwalls along the terminal and concourses allow abundant sunshine to naturally illuminate interior spaces, providing for a more pleasurable passenger experience.