Columbus Regional Airport Authority
New Terminal at John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Connecting Ohio with the world, the new terminal will provide a world-class facility that will enhance the passenger experience.
Columbus, Ohio is the fastest growing metropolitan area of the Midwest, and as the 14th largest city nationally, it is one of only six to show a population increase during the pandemic. Propelled by this future-looking image of Columbus and its role in providing superior air travel to the region and beyond, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority plans to replace the aging infrastructure of the current terminal, which was built in 1958. Guided by the pioneering spirit of the region, the statement-making new terminal builds on the promise that Columbus will continue to bloom as one of America’s great cities.
The Traveler Experience
Inspired by the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, the terminal’s Y form mirrors this union, symbolizing the fluid pathways taken by travelers and the connectivity of the building as a regional hub. With the exterior streamlined for easy access to ground transportation, transit, rental cars, and parking, the terminal’s entrance is optimized for the circulation of people, supporting a ticketing lobby and a security checkpoint close to the front door.
As travelers move into the concourse, there is a shared experience of daylight beneath the grand skylight that frames a plaza of retail stores and concessions. The experience references the sensation of Midwestern horizon and expansive sky by creating an uplifting, luminescent space that allows for intuitive wayfinding.
The marketplace at the heart of the terminal links together adjacent areas through an architectural gesture, resulting in an equitable experience for all. The fluid aesthetic of the architecture surrounding the central plaza is echoed throughout the concourse in the organic shapes of additional skylights, forming neighborhoods where people can await their departures.
