Add To Collection
Add to Collection
O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5 Expansion
O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5 Expansion
Chicago, IL, United States
Popular Winner, 2025 A+Awards, Transportation - Transportation Infrastructure
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by HOK
O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5 Expansion
Chicago, IL, United States
Popular Winner, 2025 A+Awards, Transportation - Transportation Infrastructure
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2023
SIZE
1,000,000 +
BUDGET
$100M +
For many, the light-filled, wing-shaped extension of Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport will be their front door to Chicago. The project’s openness gives sweeping views of the aircraft, the city and where one needs to go, reducing sensory overload in an uplifting environment. Public architecture and citizens are celebrated, instilling a lasting impression of Chicago and the joy of travel.
Instead of creating a long, extruded bar for the extension, the design team proposed an alternative to bend the bar into a boomerang shape. This move optimizes airfield space, and, by infilling the boomerang, more amenities and community area were introduced.
Another feature of the boomerang plan and its wing-shaped expression is the continuous clerestory that animates the space through natural light. It contributes to the connection of place and is a wayfinding element as people make their way around the elbow.
The result is a grand central space—inspired by the urban plaza—that mixes the lounges, gates and retail to reflect the dynamic vitality of cities. The vaulted space welcomes natural light and recalls the vaulted space of the existing departures hall. The team was sensitive to creating a seamless, singular experience for the expansion.
The resilient, flexible design can adapt as aircraft needs and terminal uses change. The extension serves both international and domestic flights, adds more than 300,000 square feet of space, and increases the terminal’s capacity by 25%, adding new gates while upgrading existing gate sizes to accommodate larger aircraft.
While exceeding the minimum CDA and federal requirements for MBE/DBE/WBE participation, the project was able to bolster economic growth with minimal impact on operations. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification.
COLLABORATING FIRMS: Architect of Record: GFT; Structural Engineer: Garza Karhoff Engineering; Civil Engineer: TYLin; Baggage Handling Engineer: BNP Associates; Landscape Architect: Daniel Weinbach & Partners; General Contractor: Austin Power Partners; Lighting: Schuler Shook; Exterior Façade: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger; Vertical Transportation: Lerch Bates; Cost Estimating: AtkinsRéalis
PHOTOGRAPHER: © Nic Lehoux Photography
Instead of creating a long, extruded bar for the extension, the design team proposed an alternative to bend the bar into a boomerang shape. This move optimizes airfield space, and, by infilling the boomerang, more amenities and community area were introduced.
Another feature of the boomerang plan and its wing-shaped expression is the continuous clerestory that animates the space through natural light. It contributes to the connection of place and is a wayfinding element as people make their way around the elbow.
The result is a grand central space—inspired by the urban plaza—that mixes the lounges, gates and retail to reflect the dynamic vitality of cities. The vaulted space welcomes natural light and recalls the vaulted space of the existing departures hall. The team was sensitive to creating a seamless, singular experience for the expansion.
The resilient, flexible design can adapt as aircraft needs and terminal uses change. The extension serves both international and domestic flights, adds more than 300,000 square feet of space, and increases the terminal’s capacity by 25%, adding new gates while upgrading existing gate sizes to accommodate larger aircraft.
While exceeding the minimum CDA and federal requirements for MBE/DBE/WBE participation, the project was able to bolster economic growth with minimal impact on operations. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification.
COLLABORATING FIRMS: Architect of Record: GFT; Structural Engineer: Garza Karhoff Engineering; Civil Engineer: TYLin; Baggage Handling Engineer: BNP Associates; Landscape Architect: Daniel Weinbach & Partners; General Contractor: Austin Power Partners; Lighting: Schuler Shook; Exterior Façade: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger; Vertical Transportation: Lerch Bates; Cost Estimating: AtkinsRéalis
PHOTOGRAPHER: © Nic Lehoux Photography
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.