The $161-million Terminal F expansion and renovation at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) stands as a significant example of how architectural glass can transform a transportation hub. Completed in 2018, the project added a 34,000-square-foot baggage claim building, a reconfigured security screening checkpoint, a secure-side passenger corridor, and an expanded central hub. Designed by The Sheward Partnership, the terminal is clad in a glass and metal mix that floods interior spaces with natural daylight and establishes a new visual identity for one of the busiest airports on the East Coast.
Since Terminal F opened in 2001, passenger traffic surged from 3 million to 5.2 million travelers per year, making it the third busiest terminal at PHL. The expansion addressed this growth while making the terminal the first building at PHL to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For construction professionals and specifiers, the project offers valuable lessons in integrating high-performance curtain wall glazing strategies with sustainable design objectives in large public facilities.
The Vision Behind PHL Terminal F Expansion
Philadelphia International Airport serves more than 30 million passengers annually across seven terminals. The $161-million program aimed to achieve three core objectives: increase passenger processing capacity through a larger baggage claim and expanded security checkpoint, improve the passenger experience with abundant natural light and intuitive wayfinding, and achieve a high standard of environmental performance through integrated sustainable design.
The most visible addition is the two-story baggage claim building, which anchors the arrivals experience with its glass-and-metal cladding. A reconfigured security checkpoint accommodates modern TSA requirements while maintaining efficient passenger flow. A secure-side passenger corridor now connects Terminal F directly to other terminals, eliminating shuttle buses that previously frustrated connecting passengers. The central hub was expanded to provide additional seating, concessions, and circulation space.
Architectural Glass as a Defining Design Element
Glass is the defining material of the Terminal F expansion. The design team specified multiple glass systems tailored to different functional areas throughout the building. The two-story baggage claim building features extensive glazing that draws daylight deep into the interior, reducing the need for artificial illumination during daytime hours. The metal panels used alongside the glass provide visual contrast and break down the building’s mass into a human scale.
The most technically demanding glass installation is the point-supported glass wall forming part of the secure passenger corridor. This wall consists of 223 square meters (approximately 2,400 square feet) of laminated glass in panels 3,251 millimeters (128 inches) tall. The panels alternate between clear and blue glass, creating a rhythmic visual pattern while maintaining transparency that allows travelers to see the airfield beyond.
Point-Supported Glass Wall Systems
Point-supported glass walls differ from conventional curtain wall systems in how glass panels are anchored to the structure. Instead of continuous framing members holding each panel along its edges, point-supported systems use discrete stainless steel fittings attached at specific points near the corners. This approach offers several advantages for airport terminal applications:
- Unobstructed views: Minimal framing maximizes transparent area, delivering visual openness essential for wayfinding and passenger comfort
- Structural efficiency: Laminated glass panels can be engineered to resist wind loads and impact forces while using less framing material than traditional systems
- Design flexibility: Panels can be fabricated in various sizes, shapes, and colors to meet specific architectural and performance requirements
- Security integration: Laminated glass construction provides resistance against forced entry when specified with appropriate interlayer materials
At PHL, the alternating clear and blue glass panels serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. The blue panels reduce solar heat gain on west-facing corridor sections while the clear panels maintain sightlines for passengers and security personnel.
Glass and Metal Cladding Integration
The building envelope of the baggage claim building combines glass curtain wall systems with metal panel cladding. The glass-to-metal ratio was calibrated to maximize daylight penetration while controlling solar heat gain through high-performance glazing. The metal panels provide the opaque surface area needed for structural backing and mechanical systems.
Specifiers should evaluate thermal bridging at glass-to-metal transition points early in the design process. Continuous thermal breaks at all junctions maintain the thermal envelope’s integrity, as demonstrated at PHL. For more on this topic, see our article on spandrel glass specification for building envelopes.
LEED Gold Achievement and Sustainable Design
Terminal F is the first building at PHL to earn LEED Gold certification. The project achieved this through a combination of daylight harvesting, high-performance glazing, and sustainable material selection that is replicable in other transportation facilities.
Energy Performance and Daylight Harvesting
The extensive use of glass directly supports energy performance goals by enabling daylight harvesting. Sensors throughout the terminal automatically dim electric lighting when sufficient natural light is available, significantly reducing lighting energy consumption. Glazing systems were selected with solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) appropriate for the Philadelphia climate, balancing passive solar heating in winter against the need to control cooling loads in summer.
The point-supported glass wall in the secure corridor performs double duty as a design feature and a daylighting strategy for a space that operates 18 to 20 hours daily. Given the corridor’s linear geometry and the high cost of lighting a space of that length, the energy savings from daylight harvesting are substantial over the building’s lifecycle.
Glazing Performance Comparison
| Glazing Type | U-Value (Btu/h·ft²·°F) | SHGC | VLT (%) | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double insulated low-E | 0.28 – 0.32 | 0.30 – 0.38 | 60 – 70 | Baggage claim curtain wall |
| Laminated point-supported | 0.45 – 0.50 | 0.35 – 0.42 | 55 – 65 | Secure corridor glass wall |
| Blue tinted laminated | 0.47 – 0.52 | 0.28 – 0.33 | 35 – 45 | West-facing corridor panels |
| Clear laminated | 0.45 – 0.50 | 0.40 – 0.45 | 75 – 85 | East-facing corridor panels |
Understanding the relationship between visible light transmittance and solar heat gain is essential for projects pursuing LEED certification. Our article on glass assemblies in large public buildings provides further guidance on optimizing this trade-off.
Lessons for Airport Terminal Design
The PHL Terminal F expansion offers several takeaways for airport terminal design that apply regardless of project scale or budget.
Design for Passenger Growth
Terminal F was originally designed for 3 million annual passengers but served 5.2 million by the time of expansion. The baggage claim, secure corridor, and central hub were all sized for an additional 20 to 30 percent capacity cushion. Construction professionals should build this buffer into their programming calculations, as approval cycles for airport construction projects can take years and traffic projections often prove conservative.
Coordinate Glazing and Structural Systems Early
The point-supported glass wall required close coordination between the structural engineer, glazing subcontractor, and airport security team. The glass panels had to meet wind load requirements while satisfying the airport’s blast resistance standards for secure areas. Early integration of these requirements prevented costly redesigns during construction, similar to the approach seen in stadium renovation projects with tight timelines where structural and enclosure systems must be resolved before fabrication begins.
Key Glazing Considerations for Airports
Based on the PHL experience and industry best practices, construction specifiers evaluating glazing systems for airport terminals should address the following factors during design development:
- Blast resistance: Airport secure areas require glazing tested to ASTM F1642 or GSA standards. Laminated glass with polyvinyl butyral or ionoplast interlayers is typically required
- Thermal performance: Large glazed areas create significant heating and cooling loads. Low-E coatings, thermally broken frames, and appropriate SHGC values are essential for energy code compliance
- Daylight management: Excessive glare can cause passenger discomfort and interfere with security screening. Fritted glass, shading devices, or spectrally selective coatings should be specified for east and west exposures
- Maintenance access: Glass surfaces in terminals require regular cleaning. Design must include provision for safe access through swing stages, davit systems, or permanent walkways
- Acoustic performance: Laminated glass with acoustic interlayers reduces sound transmission from the airfield into passenger spaces
LEED as a Design Framework
Pursuing LEED certification for airport terminals is feasible without compromising program requirements or budget. The certification process provided a framework for decisions about glazing selection, daylighting design, material sourcing, and indoor environmental quality. The energy conservation codes and compliance standards for commercial buildings provide a baseline aligned with LEED prerequisites.
Construction Sequencing in Operating Terminals
One of the most challenging aspects was executing construction in a fully operational airport terminal. The project team phased work to maintain passenger access to ticketing, baggage claim, and gates throughout construction. Night work and weekend closures were used for the most disruptive activities, such as glass installation above occupied spaces. The following sequencing principles apply:
- Establish temporary barriers and pedestrian routing before any demolition or construction begins
- Complete structural work in the most disruptive zones during lowest passenger traffic periods
- Commission building systems in completed areas before moving to the next phase
- Maintain continuous communication with airport operations and security teams throughout
- Inspect all glazing installations before removing temporary protection, as glass replacement in an operational terminal is significantly more expensive than initial installation
The Philadelphia International Airport Terminal F expansion is a benchmark project for specifying glazing systems, designing airport terminals, and pursuing sustainable certification for transportation facilities. The project demonstrates that architectural glass can deliver aesthetic impact, energy performance, passenger comfort, and operational durability. As air travel continues to grow and terminals face pressure to improve both capacity and passenger experience, the integration of high-performance glazing and sustainable design that defined this project points the way forward for the next generation of airport terminal construction.