Mineta San Jose Airport Building, Terminal B Concourse, Silicon Valley Design

Mineta San Jose Airport, California

Terminal B Concourse Development, USA – design by Gensler

Jul 21, 2009

Mineta San Jose Airport California

Gensler-Designed Concourse of Mineta San Jose Airport Opens to Public

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, today celebrates the opening of the first six gates of the Terminal B Concourse at Mineta San Jose International Airport. With a bold architectural design that expresses the innovative spirit of the Silicon Valley region, the 380,000-square-foot, $342 million concourse is the first element of the airport’s extensive $1.3 billion modernization program, and will ultimately integrate with the new Terminal B opening summer 2010.

photographs : Sherman Takata Photography

Gensler, in collaboration with Steinberg Architects, served as master design architect for the airport, and created a striking design that evokes the high-tech landscape of the Silicon Valley while celebrating the area’s sunny climate and agrarian roots. Inside, the concourse has the feel of a sunlit paseo, with a dramatic curved translucent roof featuring fabric panels to filter the direct sunlight and absorb sound. On the exterior, the long and cable-like outer layer expresses the area’s technological design heritage while shading the inner core of the building.

“In the Terminal B Concourse, we wanted to express the region’s leadership in technology and innovation, and also establish a signature identity for the airport and the city of San Jose,” said Steve Weindel, a principal at Gensler and project designer. “The indoor-outdoor architecture captures the San Jose lifestyle, and will give travelers a tangible sense of the region, even while they’re inside the airport.”

Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the concourse with natural light. Flight gates are located close to shopping areas so travelers won’t feel rushed and can enjoy locally prepared foods at a variety of eateries. At 1,600 feet long and 90 feet wide, the building is 380,000 square feet, with 29,000 square feet of space reserved for retail and concession areas and 10 gates. The initial gates will serve Southwest Airlines. There will be 12 gates total when Terminal B and the concourse are fully integrated by next summer.

Gensler is committed to energy-efficient, sustainable architecture, and the Terminal B Concourse is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification standards. It boasts many sustainable design features, including aggressive daylight harvesting and an efficient displacement ventilation system. San Jose has more than 325 days of sunshine a year, so the outer layer of the exterior acts as a shading device, protecting the inner core of the building and helping it perform more efficiently.

The concourse design team includes Gensler and Steinberg Architects, master architects; Clark Construction, general contractor; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, structural engineer; Flack & Kurtz and Alpha Tech, MEP; URS, civil engineer; and Gilbane Building Company, construction management.

Mineta San Jose International Airport
San Jose, California, USA

Background:
The North Concourse is the first element of the master plan for the Mineta San Jose International Airport’s (SJC) comprehensive modernization of its terminal area. The overall plan includes a new terminal, concourse, major upgrade of existing terminal space, new parking facilities, and improved roadway system designed to meet the needs of 21st century air travel in San Jose and Silicon Valley. With a striking design that expresses the region’s leadership in technology and innovation, the North Concourse establishes a signature identity for the airport and the city of San Jose and sets the standard for all future airport development.

Construction is complete and commissioning and retail installations are currently underway with a projected opening July 2009. Following phases will provide a new Terminal B, which will be integrated directly with the North Concourse and contain ticketing, screening, and baggage services when it opens in mid-2010.

Mineta San Jose Airport – Building Information

– 380,000 square feet (98,000 square feet of public space and 29,000 square feet of space for retail and concession areas)
– 10 gates
– 1,600 feet long, 90 feet wide. Will extend to 3,200 feet long in future phases
– Links directly to existing FIS facility and Terminal A
– Expected opening July 2009. Full opening with Terminal B scheduled mid 2010
– $341 million
– Airlines: Southwest starting July 2009

Design Team: Gensler, Master Design Architect for airport and architect for North Concourse; Steinberg Architects, Associate Architect; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Structural Engineers; Flack & Kurtz, MEP; URS, Civil Engineer, PA and Security; Alpha Tech, MEP

About Mineta San José International Airport
Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC served 9.7 million passengers and has 145 daily flights on 13 domestic and international carriers to 27 nonstop destinations.

Mineta San Jose Airport Building information from Gensler Architects

Gensler Architects

Location: Mineta San Jose Airport, USA

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