San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2 becomes first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the US

San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2 Gate Lounge

In a press conference held yesterday, December 1st, San Francisco International Airport announced that the Gensler-designed renovation of the airport’s Terminal 2 (SFO T2) is the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the United States. The 640,000-square-foot terminal, which opened to flights in April 2011, features a progressive environmental design that inspires people to live more sustainably. By extending Bay Area culture into the terminal, the design elevates the traveller experience, making it enjoyable for passengers to spend time at the airport. The terminal features 14 gates serving Virgin America and American Airlines, and was built in a design-build partnership between Turner Construction and Gensler for San Francisco International Airport.

San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2 Gate Lounge

“Virgin is known around the world for its focus on sustainability as well as for product innovation that improves the customer experience, and SFO’s T2 represents the future of airport experiences across the globe,” says Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson. “Virgin America has the most fuel-efficient fleet in the US and thanks to the vision of SFO and Gensler, it now has a home base that reflects the evolution of sustainable travel.” John L. Martin, director of San Francisco International Airport concurs, saying: “T2 raises the bar for airports throughout the nation — and around the world.”

Gensler’s design for SFO T2 offers an authentic San Francisco experience within the airport with features that reinforce the Bay Area’s reputation for sustainability and the most advanced technology. “Public buildings should stand for the ideals of the cities they represent,” says M. Arthur Gensler, Jr., founder of Gensler. “San Francisco is committed to sustainability, and SFO recognized that in building T2. This terminal shows the world that airports — even older, remodelled ones — can be great examples of sustainable design.” T2’s design supports the airport’s goal of zero waste and encourages travellers and employees to participate in its sustainable programs. Innovative sustainable design and operations programs at T2 include:

Greening the Airport:

• Reduced energy costs: The terminal is designed to save 15 percent more than the energy cost of a terminal designed to meet California’s stringent building code. An innovative displacement ventilation system delivers superior air quality while using 20 percent less power than conventional systems.
• Reduced water use: A dual plumbing system is incorporated in T2 to save water. Plumbing for toilets and urinals is supplied with reclaimed water from the Airport’s Mel Leong Treatment Plant. Plumbing fixtures selected are 40 percent more efficient than typical fixtures.
• Re-used building materials: By reusing a substantial portion of the infrastructure of the existing building in the renovated T2, SFO generates cost savings and reduces the global warming impact of the new terminal by approximately 12,300 tons of CO₂.