PTIA Terminal Modernization & Master Plan
Piedmont Triad International Airport serves an estimated 4.5 million people in Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem and the surrounding area. For the over 800,000 passengers who pass through the airport each year, PTIA serves as a gateway to the Triad community and is key in making a good first impression on visitors to and from the area. Originally built in the early 1980s, by the late 2000s the terminal no longer reflected the standards and needs of a modern airport in terms of amenities and passenger comfort, and was clearly in need of renovation.
Rod Lindsey and the Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA) share a long and productive relationship, spanning 20 years. Because of this long-standing partnership, in 2010 Lindsey Architecture was commissioned to provide a five-year Master Plan for the Piedmont Triad International Airport titled “Refresh, Renew, & Reconnect.” The scope of the $10M project was massive, as it involved bringing the existing 30-year-old terminal building into the 21st Century, modernizing it both technologically and stylistically. The goal of the Master Plan was an airport that offered the best passenger experience possible, not only serving the passengers’ needs, but going above and beyond.
Using the Master Plan as a blueprint, Lindsey Architecture played a lead role in implementing the changes and improvements it laid out using a multi-year, multi-phased approach. Major components in the Master Plan accomplished to date include:
- A new easy-to-understand signage and way-finding system to make it easier for passengers to get where they need to be quickly and easily, and helps bring the new look throughout the terminal building
- A state-of-the-art Flight Information Display System that provides passengers with the most up-to-date information and quickly makes them aware of any possible issues with their flight
- Attractive new seating throughout the airline hold-rooms that include charging stations, along with new enhanced lounge seating in a more open and expansive area, designed for added passenger comfort
- Stylish new carpet throughout the terminal as well as welcoming wood flooring at the check-in areas, which feature the latest technology for quick, easy check-in and faster baggage drop off
- Extensive renovation of the ceilings over the ticket counters and the addition of classic woodgrains to the walls behind them to bring a sense of warmth and hominess to the terminal
- Complete renovation and redesign of the archway at the terminal opening to create a more inviting ambiance, including the installation of multi-colored LED accent lighting that can be used to reflect holiday colors (such as red, white and blue for July 4th) or event colors (such as pink for breast cancer awareness), giving the terminal a bright and festive feel as travelers arrive to leave on holiday travel
- Creating new spaces that allow for today’s airport security requirements while being flexible enough to be modified as the equipment and requirements change over time
The latest project that Lindsey Architecture worked with PTIA to complete was a $3.5 million Terminal Ceiling Renovation, which was a major change on the upper level of the terminal. This renovation involved replacing a low, flat metal ceiling and raising it to create more visual interest and make the facility feel more spacious and modern, making an airy and comfortable impression. The addition of arches, accent lighting and wood columns all helped to add more warmth to the terminal and make it a more welcoming place for travelers.
The largest obstacle in carrying out such comprehensive changes to a facility that is open 24 hours a day is accomplishing what needs to be done without negatively affecting the passenger experience. Lindsey Architecture worked closely with the airport authority to develop creative solutions that would allow the work to be done with as little effect on the passengers as possible. This included scaffolding the terminal building and working above it at night, when most air and passenger traffic had ceased.
The result is an airport that has received praise throughout the region. One local publication said that the updated passenger terminal “speaks volumes about PTI’s emphasis on passenger comfort. The interior renovation allows passengers to wait for their flights in open, comfortable areas equipped with new furniture and free Wi-Fi. PTI has also adjusted to the needs of the modern traveler by providing new signage, screens for tracking flights, and ticket counters that have been completely updated.”
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Size (sq. ft.): +/- 365,000
Year Completed: Ongoing; Terminal Ceiling Renovation: 2015
Team:
SKA Consulting Engineers
Structural Solutions
HICAPS
Award:
2017 CPN Star Award