calatrava, SOM, and foster unveil competing proposals for chicago airport expansion

the chicago department of aviation unveils the five proposed designs for a colossal expansion of o’hare international airport. the sculptural designs for the $8.5 billion undertaking will showcase a new global terminal that combines both domestic and international flights. from soaring, undulating roof structures to naturalist influences with interior green space pavilions, the speculative designs by some of the world’s leading architecture firms including santiago calatrava, SOM, foster + partners, and jeanne gang, aim to optimize efficiency while capturing the contemporary spirit of the US city.

together with an evaluation committee, chicago mayor rahm emanuel is encouraging the public to vote on their favorite designs to shape the future of o’hare — vote here! scheduled to open in 2028 and to be financed by airline ticket fees, the project is to be the largest and most expensive terminal expansion in o’hare’s entire 74-year history. read below for each team’s description of its vision for the terminal expansion. 

santiago calatrava

all images courtesy of chicago department of aviation

‘o’hare’s global terminal by santiago calatrava is a masterwork of modern terminal architecture. with a glass façade and dramatic shell-like roof soaring over the approach road, the building unifies the terminal complex while establishing itself as its centerpiece.’

‘inside, vaulted, light-filled spaces celebrate both the grandeur and simplicity of bygone travel as customers move easily to and from gate areas enlivened by chicago-focused concessions in an airy, park-like setting. convenient links to adjacent terminals, satellite concourses, and public transit support a future vision plan that transforms the area opposite the terminal into a vibrant hotel, retail and business complex.’

skidmore, owings & merrill

‘we have delivered global excellence in this great city, shaping chicago’s skyline, neighborhoods and public realm for more than 80 years. it’s said that our chicago buildings turn pragmatism into poetry. our elegantly undulating o’hare global terminal aims to be the world’s best, through optimal functional planning, great design, and keen practicality — all quintessential chicago qualities.’

‘we infuse the muscular heritage of chicago architecture and engineering with many lessons from the natural environment, to increase human comfort, save energy and define a distinctive sense of place. this can be chicago’s next great building and our new gateway to the world.’

studio ORD, led by jeanne gang

‘chicago is a city defined by motion; confluence — of our river, of trail networks, of railroads — has shaped our most vibrant civic spaces. studio ORD’s elegant and efficient design for the o’hare global terminal and global concourse unifies the airport’s campus by converging seamless lines of motion across three terminals around a spectacular central oculus.’

‘this confluence becomes orchard field — a vibrant neighborhood that combines abundant green spaces with distinctive landmarks, bespoke retail pavilions, and diverse activity zones. richly layered and easily navigable, it captures the unique character of chicago and redefines o’hare as a 21st century international destination.’

foster + epstein + moreno

‘our design is based upon a sequence of memorable and distinctive spaces that create a gateway to chicago with architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive, welcoming and functional, in turn resolving the sophisticated security, airport and airline requirements in a way that meets the needs of both employees and passengers.’

‘three arches frame the landside of the building, merging into a grand single arch on the airside, thus dissolving the barrier between inside and out and allowing the spectacle of the airfield to be visible to all who pass through the gateway, and recapturing the romance associated with air travel.‘

fentress + EXP + brook + garza

‘the fentress-EXP-brook-garza joint venture’s globally-minded terminal design for chicago provides an elegant, spacious, and sustainable gateway to connect chicagoans and the world with speed and efficiency. soaring spaces sparkle with sunlight and lift the human spirit. daylight and spatial composition guide passengers intuitively and purposefully.

‘the latest technological advances shape a smart, seamless, comfortable, and unencumbered experience. from arrival to departure, every element of the new terminal is crafted to elevate the passenger, making their journey inspiring, engaging, stirring, and fun. our vision is to return the romance of air travel to all who pass through chicago’s o’hare.‘