Portland International Airport Debuts Massive Mass Timber Terminal

Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the million-square-foot terminal balances architectural ambition with seismic resilience. The structure is engineered to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone while simultaneously cutting energy consumption by 50% through an all-electric, ground-source heat pump system. By choosing to renovate and expand in place rather than starting from scratch, the team avoided a full closure, keeping operations running throughout the half-decade construction cycle.

The aesthetic focus leans heavily into the Pacific Northwest landscape, utilizing natural light and interior greenery to mirror the surrounding forest. Beyond the structural innovation, the second phase introduces streamlined exit lanes and expanded gathering spaces to facilitate passenger flow. ZGF Managing Partner Sharron van der Meulen noted that the design intends to serve the region for decades by creating a space that feels distinctly local. Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold emphasized that the success of the project relied on thousands of local workers and locally sourced materials, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable, regionalized airport construction.