San Bernardino International Airport Terminal Building
Wing Ho, LEED AP - Lead Project Designer I 2009 I gkkworks
Wing Ho, LEED AP - Lead Project Designer I 2009 I gkkworks
Norton Air Force Base began before World War II as a Municipal Airport, San Bernardino under Army Air Corps jurisdiction. In 1941, it became a training base for 30,000 pilots. In December 1941, only days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, combat-ready fighter planes arrived there to protect the Los Angeles area from enemy attack.
On March 1, 1942, the airport was renamed San Bernardino Army Air Field and the San Bernardino Air Depot was established there. The first aircraft arrived at the new base on June 2, 1942. All runways were completed by December and night flying was initiated in March 1943. During the war, Norton’s primary function was the repair and maintenance of aircraft.
The base was operated by the Air Force until the base closure in 1995. Since then, it has languished until 2007 when construction began on its new incarnation: San Bernardino International Airport. The new airport features three jet ways with the ability to land jumbo jets including the Boeing 747. Costs to refurbish the existing runway and add two new ones was $34 million, another $8 million was spent in infrastructure improvements and upwards of $38 million was incurred for a new passenger terminal. And there is room for future expansion.
A 60,000 square foot existing terminal building and 40,000 square foot two-story passenger concourse completed construction in 2009. Design team challenges included an accelerated design and construction schedules well as implementation of the post-911 TSA security procedures including enhanced baggage screening requirements.
The existing wood-framed terminal building was built in the 1940’s, but seemed to lack aesthetic or architectural value despite its prominent location at the airport. The minimal detailing on the building allowed it to blend in with many of the other aircraft hangers and warehouses in the area. In contrast, the new terminal design concept was to use contrasting colors and materials to give the west entry elevation a fresh look. Vertical backlit light columns are carefully designed and integrated into the facade in order to create a backdrop for the entry canopies and water feature in front of the building. The arrival and departure canopies function as the way finding element. A series of smaller canopies are placed in between to provide maximum shading and weather protection. The passage pick-up island in front of the terminal is also covered by a third set of canopies sharing the same design style with the main entry. The north, south and east elevations of the existing terminal building as well as the existing barrel roof were kept in tack as a nod to the existing facility, but were upgraded with new insulation and paint in order to improve the energy efficiency and aesthetics of the structure. The core layout of the facility will accommodate future levels of expansion without having to increase the size of the existing terminal structure.
The new two story concourse building was designed to included gate holding areas, concession areas, and the airline operation areas. The location and configuration of the new concourse as well as its supporting infrastructure allow it the ability to expand from the original 4 gates up to 10 gates in the future. New concourse design, referred to as the “Hub”, is clad with the same metal panel system as the west elevation of the terminal in order to provide continuity to the facility. The uses of blue and silver metal panels at different areas create a visual connection between the old and new facilities. The two story concourse structure acts as like a giant bridge that connects travelers to their planes from the single-story wood structure terminal through to the refurbished jet bridges that were brought from JFK in New York. Large windows integrated with sun shade devices and Low-E insulated glazing provide maximum daylight and views to surrounding mountains. A serious of skylights with special glazing are used on the roof to provide additional daylight and glare control.
The interiors of both facilities are clad with hardy, yet cost effective finishes. Conventional ceiling systems were used throughout in order to provide aesthetic and acoustical control. Two photographic feature walls incorporated with sceneries from the City of San Bernardino and the State of California have been placed along the Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) queue area. A large curved metal ceiling system within the terminal becomes a main feature element at baggage claim area as well as at SSCP queue area. The curved metal ceiling is highlighted by special light coves and a series of vertical pendant lighting fixtures.
On March 1, 1942, the airport was renamed San Bernardino Army Air Field and the San Bernardino Air Depot was established there. The first aircraft arrived at the new base on June 2, 1942. All runways were completed by December and night flying was initiated in March 1943. During the war, Norton’s primary function was the repair and maintenance of aircraft.
The base was operated by the Air Force until the base closure in 1995. Since then, it has languished until 2007 when construction began on its new incarnation: San Bernardino International Airport. The new airport features three jet ways with the ability to land jumbo jets including the Boeing 747. Costs to refurbish the existing runway and add two new ones was $34 million, another $8 million was spent in infrastructure improvements and upwards of $38 million was incurred for a new passenger terminal. And there is room for future expansion.
A 60,000 square foot existing terminal building and 40,000 square foot two-story passenger concourse completed construction in 2009. Design team challenges included an accelerated design and construction schedules well as implementation of the post-911 TSA security procedures including enhanced baggage screening requirements.
The existing wood-framed terminal building was built in the 1940’s, but seemed to lack aesthetic or architectural value despite its prominent location at the airport. The minimal detailing on the building allowed it to blend in with many of the other aircraft hangers and warehouses in the area. In contrast, the new terminal design concept was to use contrasting colors and materials to give the west entry elevation a fresh look. Vertical backlit light columns are carefully designed and integrated into the facade in order to create a backdrop for the entry canopies and water feature in front of the building. The arrival and departure canopies function as the way finding element. A series of smaller canopies are placed in between to provide maximum shading and weather protection. The passage pick-up island in front of the terminal is also covered by a third set of canopies sharing the same design style with the main entry. The north, south and east elevations of the existing terminal building as well as the existing barrel roof were kept in tack as a nod to the existing facility, but were upgraded with new insulation and paint in order to improve the energy efficiency and aesthetics of the structure. The core layout of the facility will accommodate future levels of expansion without having to increase the size of the existing terminal structure.
The new two story concourse building was designed to included gate holding areas, concession areas, and the airline operation areas. The location and configuration of the new concourse as well as its supporting infrastructure allow it the ability to expand from the original 4 gates up to 10 gates in the future. New concourse design, referred to as the “Hub”, is clad with the same metal panel system as the west elevation of the terminal in order to provide continuity to the facility. The uses of blue and silver metal panels at different areas create a visual connection between the old and new facilities. The two story concourse structure acts as like a giant bridge that connects travelers to their planes from the single-story wood structure terminal through to the refurbished jet bridges that were brought from JFK in New York. Large windows integrated with sun shade devices and Low-E insulated glazing provide maximum daylight and views to surrounding mountains. A serious of skylights with special glazing are used on the roof to provide additional daylight and glare control.
The interiors of both facilities are clad with hardy, yet cost effective finishes. Conventional ceiling systems were used throughout in order to provide aesthetic and acoustical control. Two photographic feature walls incorporated with sceneries from the City of San Bernardino and the State of California have been placed along the Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) queue area. A large curved metal ceiling system within the terminal becomes a main feature element at baggage claim area as well as at SSCP queue area. The curved metal ceiling is highlighted by special light coves and a series of vertical pendant lighting fixtures.
