Inside the O’Hare 21 Terminal Expansion: Design Teams, Construction Strategies, and What Builders Need to Know
The City of Chicago has shortlisted five world-class design teams to lead the O’Hare 21 Terminal Expansion Project at O’Hare International Airport, the largest terminal expansion in the airport’s history. With a $8.5 billion investment, this project will reshape one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States and set new standards for large-scale airport infrastructure construction. For building professionals, specifiers, and construction managers, understanding how such mega-projects are structured offers valuable insights into procurement strategy, design team selection, and the complex coordination required for major public infrastructure. Recent projects like the Philadelphia airport terminal F expansion demonstrate the growing trend toward architecturally ambitious, sustainably certified airport facilities that demand meticulous planning and execution.
The Five Shortlisted Design Teams and Their Profiles
The selection process for the O’Hare 21 project narrowed an international field to five joint venture teams, each bringing distinct expertise in aviation architecture, structural engineering, and large-scale commercial design. These teams will compete through a request for proposal (RFP) process, submitting design models that will be displayed publicly across Chicago.
The Shortlisted Joint Ventures
Each team combines global architectural reputation with local Chicago expertise, a deliberate strategy by the city to ensure the project serves both world-class design standards and community needs.
- Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners – Fentress Architects brings deep experience in airport design, having worked on major terminals including Denver International and Los Angeles International airports.
- Foster Epstein Moreno JV Joint Venture Partners – Lord Foster’s firm, known for iconic airport projects such as Beijing Daxing and Hong Kong International, partners with Epstein and Moreno for local grounding.
- Santiago Calatrava LLC – The renowned architect-engineer brings signature structural expressionism seen in transportation projects worldwide, from the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York to the Liege-Guillemins railway station.
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) – A Chicago-based firm with roots in the city’s architectural legacy, SOM brings local knowledge combined with global expertise in supertall buildings and large-scale infrastructure.
- Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners – A team assembled specifically for this project, emphasizing collaborative design methodology and integrated delivery approaches.
Selection Committee Structure
The evaluation process combines political leadership with technical rigor. Transportation, business, and civic leaders from the City of Chicago form the official selection committee, supplemented by technical advisories from leading architectural firms, cultural and academic institutions, and local businesses.
- City of Chicago transportation and planning officials chair the committee
- Independent architectural advisors evaluate technical merit of proposals
- Cultural institutions provide input on public space and civic design
- Local business representatives ensure economic alignment with community goals
- Academic partners contribute research-based evaluation criteria
Construction and Engineering Scope of the O’Hare 21 Program
The O’Hare 21 program extends well beyond terminal architecture. It encompasses runway reconfiguration, roadway realignment, utility infrastructure upgrades, and the integration of intelligent building technology that will define airport operations for decades. Understanding the full construction scope helps builders and specifiers anticipate the material systems, structural requirements, and coordination demands of such projects.
Key Construction Components
The terminal expansion program breaks down into several major work packages that will require coordinated delivery across multiple prime contractors and subcontractors.
| Work Package | Estimated Scale | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal building and concourses | 2.2 million square feet new construction | Structural steel framing, curtain wall glazing, large-span roof systems |
| Roadway and access infrastructure | Realignment of arrivals and departures roadways | Concrete pavement, bridge structures, signage and wayfinding |
| Utility and central plant upgrades | Chilled water, electrical, and fuel systems expansion | Coordination with existing operational infrastructure, phased shutdowns |
| Baggage handling system | Integrated automated system across all terminals | Below-grade tunnels, conveyor systems, security integration |
| Transit and intermodal connections | CTA Blue Line station improvements and people mover | Structural modifications, platform extensions, station modernization |
The project also requires extensive temporary phasing to maintain airport operations throughout construction, one of the most challenging aspects of any active airport expansion.
Material Systems for Airport Terminal Construction
Airport terminals place exceptional demands on building materials. High traffic volumes, security requirements, acoustic control, and long-span structural needs all drive material selection decisions that differ significantly from standard commercial construction.
Structural Systems
Large-span roof structures are defining architectural features of modern airport terminals. The O’Hare 21 project will likely incorporate:
- Steel truss and space frame systems for column-free departure halls
- Precast concrete elements for concourse structures, similar to approaches used in high-performance precast concrete buildings
- Composite steel deck and concrete fill for upper-level floor plates
- Deep foundation systems to support heavy terminal loads on Chicago’s clay soils
Building Envelope and Glazing
Curtain wall systems for airport terminals must balance thermal performance, blast resistance, and natural daylighting. These high-performance envelopes require careful specification coordination between structural, thermal, and architectural requirements.
Sustainability and Energy Performance in Airport Terminal Design
Major airport expansions increasingly target green building certifications, and the O’Hare 21 program is expected to pursue LEED certification or equivalent performance standards. The scale of airport terminals makes energy performance a significant operational cost driver, and design choices made during the RFP phase will directly impact long-term energy consumption.
Energy Conservation Strategies for Large-Terminal Buildings
Airport terminals operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with massive HVAC and lighting loads. Energy conservation strategies for these facilities must address both envelope performance and mechanical system efficiency. Builders should reference current energy conservation codes and compliance standards that govern large commercial structures.
Key energy strategies expected in the O’Hare 21 design include:
- High-performance glazing with optimized solar heat gain coefficients for south-facing curtain walls
- Daylight harvesting controls integrated with automated shade systems
- Underfloor air distribution systems for improved occupant comfort and reduced fan energy
- Central plant optimization with thermal energy storage for demand shifting
- On-site renewable energy generation through rooftop photovoltaic arrays
Water Efficiency and Stormwater Management
Chicago’s combined sewer system places strict requirements on stormwater management for large development projects. The O’Hare 21 expansion will likely incorporate:
- Green roofs and vegetated areas for stormwater retention
- Permeable paving for service roadways and apron areas where feasible
- Rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation and non-potable uses
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout terminal facilities
These water management strategies not only meet code requirements but contribute to the operational resilience of the airport during extreme weather events, a growing concern for coastal and Great Lakes infrastructure.
Project Delivery and Procurement Strategy for Mega-Projects
The O’Hare 21 program uses a phased procurement approach that separates design team selection from construction contracting. This structure allows the city to evaluate design proposals on architectural merit and technical capability before committing to construction pricing, a strategy increasingly common for major public infrastructure.
RFP Process and Design Competition
The shortlisted teams participate in a competitive RFP process where each submits a design model. These models are showcased at multiple locations across Chicago for public viewing, adding a community engagement dimension to the technical evaluation.
- Phase 1: Qualification and Shortlisting – Firms submit statements of qualifications demonstrating relevant airport and large-scale project experience
- Phase 2: RFP and Design Proposal – Shortlisted teams develop design concepts, including architectural models, cost estimates, and delivery schedules
- Phase 3: Public Exhibition – Design models displayed at venues throughout Chicago for community feedback
- Phase 4: Final Selection – Selection committee makes final recommendation based on design quality, team capability, and budget alignment
Construction Manager at Risk or Design-Build?
While the architectural design services procurement proceeds first, the construction delivery method remains to be finalized. Large airport projects typically use either construction manager at risk (CMAR) or design-build delivery, each with distinct implications for builders and subcontractors.
| Delivery Method | Advantages for Airport Projects | Key Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager at Risk | Design team has full control over specifications; owner receives guaranteed maximum price during design phase | Extended schedule; potential for change orders during construction |
| Design-Build | Single point of responsibility; faster delivery through overlapping design and construction | Less owner control over design details; contractor assumptions may compromise architectural vision |
| Integrated Project Delivery | Collaborative risk-sharing; aligned incentives for quality and schedule | Requires high trust among parties; less proven for public projects |
Each approach changes how specifications are written, how subcontractor scopes are defined, and how quality assurance programs are structured. The integration of intelligent building technology into airport operations further complicates delivery choices, as building automation, security systems, and passenger processing technology must be coordinated across multiple design and construction packages.
Lessons from Comparable Mega-Projects
Builders and specifiers working on airport projects can draw lessons from other large-scale transportation infrastructure programs. The coordination required between structural, MEP, and technology systems in airport terminals rivals that of the most complex healthcare and research facilities.
Key success factors for airport terminal construction include:
- Early engagement of specialty trade contractors during design development
- Comprehensive building information modeling (BIM) execution plans that cover all disciplines
- Phased commissioning plans that allow terminal sections to open sequentially
- Security-sensitive construction protocols that maintain airport operations during active work zones
- Quality assurance programs that address both cosmetic finishes and performance-critical systems
The O’Hare 21 Terminal Expansion Project represents a generational investment in Chicago’s transportation infrastructure and a significant opportunity for the construction industry. As the five shortlisted teams develop their proposals over the coming months, builders, material suppliers, and specification professionals should pay close attention to the design directions that emerge. The material choices, structural systems, and delivery methods selected for this project will influence airport construction standards across the United States for decades to come.