海角视频

US Aviation Director, Jeremy Snyder, walks us through Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal – a once鈥慽n鈥慳鈥慻eneration reinvention of the region鈥檚 front door.

The Terminal Modernization Program (TMP), designed by Gensler + HDR in association with luis vidal + architects, introduces a new 811,000 ft虏 landside terminal that unifies ticketing, security, and baggage processing directly alongside the existing airside concourses. This streamlined layout shortens the passenger journey, cutting travel time and stress, while re鈥慹stablishing Pittsburgh as a true origin鈥慳nd鈥慸estination airport built for the region鈥檚 future.

The vision was shaped in part by Jeremy Snyder, 海角视频 Partner and US Aviation Director, who guided the multidisciplinary engineering approach behind the project. Speaking with Jeremy about the project, he emphasized not only the technical breakthroughs but the lasting impact this terminal will have on Pittsburgh, reshaping how the region welcomes travelers and reinforcing the city鈥檚 identity at its front door.

The airport wanted something that was for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh. Nature, technology, and community were the guiding principles.

Jeremy Snyder, US Aviation Director

A completed transformation, built for today鈥檚 traveler

The old airport was built for a time when Pittsburgh was a major airline hub, prioritizing airside operations over passenger amenities. That model no longer fit the city鈥檚 needs. The modernization flips that paradigm, creating a larger landside terminal with expanded retail, dining, and gathering spaces. The new terminal isn鈥檛 just functional – it鈥檚 designed as a community hub that feels open, welcoming, and distinctly Pittsburgh.

Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and creating a sense of calm for travelers and visitors alike. Combined with soaring ceilings and warm natural materials, the design blurs the line between indoors and outdoors, reinforcing the airport鈥檚 commitment to nature as one of its guiding principles. This openness transforms the terminal into more than a transit point – it鈥檚 a place to gather, connect, and experience the region鈥檚 character before even stepping outside. Snyder remarked, 鈥淎s the CEO has observed, Pittsburghers take pride in dropping off and picking up their loved ones – and we agreed. That perspective shaped our approach, inspiring a spacious, welcoming area that makes the experience feel effortless and true to Pittsburgh.鈥�

What 海角视频 delivered

Integrating old and new systems

Modernizing an active airport meant more than building new infrastructure – it required seamlessly integrating legacy systems with cutting-edge technology. 海角视频 engineered solutions that tied the new terminal into existing airport operations while upgrading performance. 

鈥淲e had to connect the new terminal to the airport鈥檚 microgrid and existing utilities without disrupting operations,鈥� Snyder explains. 鈥淭hat meant designing systems that could bridge old and new – mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection – all while meeting the airport鈥檚 sustainability goals.鈥� 

This integration extended to wayfinding and passenger flow. By eliminating the costly tram and placing the new landside terminal adjacent to the airside, the design shortened travel time and simplified navigation. 鈥淎irports can be stressful,鈥� Snyder says. 鈥淥ur job was to help the experience comfortable, functional and intuitive – so when you walk in, you know exactly where to go.鈥� 

Engineering innovation behind the scenes聽

海角视频鈥檚 role went beyond basic MEP services. The team introduced displacement ventilation, a system that delivers fresh air at low levels rather than overhead – a game-changer for large, high-volume spaces like baggage halls. 
 

鈥淚t鈥檚 more energy-efficient, saves floor-to-floor height, and creates a cleaner aesthetic,鈥� Snyder explains. 鈥淲e integrated ventilation into permanent benches and baggage carousels, so it鈥檚 invisible to passengers – but it saves space and cost.鈥� 
 

Fire protection systems were similarly designed for efficiency and discretion, integrated into architectural elements to maintain the terminal鈥檚 open, intuitive feel. 

Airports can be stressful. Our job was to help the experience comfortable, functional and intuitive – so when you walk in, you know exactly where to go.

Jeremy Snyder, US Aviation Director

Operational gains owners notice

• No more APM. The modernization eliminates the legacy people鈥憁over between landside and airside. A short pedestrian tunnel now links the new terminal to the existing concourses, cutting walking time and on train operation and maintenance.
• Curb鈥憈o鈥慻ate, simplified. Consolidated check鈥慽n, screening, and circulation are expected to halve the typical journey time from drop鈥憃ff to airside, with an expanded TSA checkpoint and clearer wayfinding to reduce friction at peak.
• Right鈥憇ized baggage performance. A modernized baggage system reduces conveyor length from roughly improving reliability and delivery times while lowering energy and maintenance loads.

Collaboration that drives innovation

The TMP was a joint effort among Gensler + HDR in association with luis vidal + architects and 海角视频, working in lockstep with the Allegheny County Airport Authority. 鈥淲e鈥檝e worked with Gensler for years,鈥� says Snyder. 鈥淭hat trust allowed us to share ideas openly and bring creative solutions to the client.鈥�

The program鈥檚 opening capped multi鈥憏ear testing, public trials, and a meticulously staged cutover to live operations – a hallmark of disciplined, client鈥慺ocused delivery. For 海角视频, collaboration isn鈥檛 just a process – it鈥檚 a differentiator. 鈥淲e bring multidisciplinary expertise and global reach, but we also know how to partner and support our local teams. That鈥檚 why clients trust us with complex aviation projects.鈥�

A terminal that reflects Pittsburgh

The terminal鈥檚 architecture draws on western Pennsylvania鈥檚 rolling hills and starry skies, with daylight, material warmth, and clear sightlines that calm the journey and celebrate place. Those gestures are backed by measurable improvements: more lanes at security, faster bags, better parking and access, and a right鈥憇ized footprint that supports airlines and the region鈥檚 growth. On opening day, airport leadership called it a historic moment for a terminal that 鈥渙pens the door to even more growth and opportunity.鈥�

This is Pittsburgh鈥檚 front door. It shows the world that Pittsburgh is ready for the future.

Jeremy Snyder, US Aviation Director