As the first major improvement in 25 years, Fentress’ design recharges the outdated LAX International Terminal with a convenient and comfortable passenger experience.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest and busiest airport in California, and it ranks among the top 10 in the world for total aircraft movements. As the largest international airport on the U.S. West Coast, LAX is considered the primary gateway between the U.S. and Asia. Additionally, it serves as a key gateway to Latin America, Europe, and Oceania, with flights to over 75 domestic and 60 international destinations.
The primary goal of the new Tom Bradley International Terminal was to transform what had been one of America’s most criticized terminals into a convenient, pleasant, and iconic gateway recognized around the world. The solutions implemented to achieve this goal were numerous and comprehensive, aimed at:
- Creating a unique LA-inspired sense of place
- Enhancing the passenger experience
- Increasing non-airline revenue
- Reducing the environmental impact of this major project
The terminal’s design captures the vibrant geography and spirit of Los Angeles while delivering enhanced functionality. This combination elevates the international travel experience at LAX, imbuing it with a renewed sense of glamour. Every aspect of the journey—whether airside or curbside—has been carefully crafted to exceed the expectations of travelers, airport administrators, staff, and the surrounding community.
The new terminal now accommodates 1,700 more travelers per hour, allowing it to serve a total of 4,500 travelers per hour. Despite doubling in size, the average time it takes to walk from airside to curbside has been reduced to just 20 minutes, significantly improving convenience and efficiency.
Explore more of our aviation and transportation projects here.
Award-Winning Design
- 10 Awe-Inspiring Airports Across the World, ArchDaily, 2021
- Winner (Transport), THE PLAN, 2019
- #8, Best Airports 2019: 70 million + passengers, Skytrax World Airport Awards, 2019
- TRANSPORT: Finalist, Word Architecture News, 2018
- Public Space Design (Finalist), Society of British and International Design, 2018
- World Architecture Festival (Finalist ), 2017
- International Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum, 2016
- American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum, 2016
- Best of Show, Society for Experiential Graphic Design, 2014
- Job of the Year, National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association, 2014
- Presidential Award, Building Team of the Year, AIA Los Angeles, 2013
- Best Project (Airports/Transit), Engineering News-Record Magazine, 2013
- Best Experience at the Gate, Future Travel Experience, 2013
- Winner (Under Construction), LA Architecture Awards, 2013
- Gold Award, Commercial Real Estate (Public Project), Los Angeles Business Council, 2013
- Innovation in Structural Engineering, Be Inspired Awards (Bentley), 2012
- Silver Award for “Best Domestic Airport,” Executive Travel Magazine, 2010
- Westside Prize, Westside Urban Forum, 2009
USGBC LEED Gold-Certified
Los Angeles World Airports’ commitment to a healthy environment goes significantly beyond ensuring its buildings meet code requirements and adhere to environmental policies and guidelines. In fact, upon completion, the new Tom Bradley International Terminal was the largest airport in the country to achieve LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council.
The following list represents many of the environmental measures employed:
- Recycling or salvaging of more than 75 percent of construction and demolition waste.
- Installation of efficient light fixtures and controls with occupancy sensors throughout the terminal to reduce energy costs and save energy during off-peak hours.
- Installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls to reset temperatures to maximum efficiency without sacrificing occupant comfort.
- High-efficiency fixtures resulting in an estimated 48-percent reduction in water consumption.
- Retrofitting of construction equipment with emission- and noise-reduction devices that were not available at the time of the equipment’s manufacture.
- On-site maintenance of concrete mixers among other equipment, thus reducing the number of trips construction vehicles made.
- Implementation of dust control.
- Delivery of construction-related materials conducted primarily during off-peak traffic hours.
- Concrete and construction material recycling on-site.
