San Francisco International Airport's Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Sets New Benchmark for Sustainable, Passenger-Centric Design
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) marked a major milestone in 2024 with the completion of its Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (HMT1) renovation, a transformative, $2.4 billion program that modernized 619,150 square feet of concourse space. The multi-phase effort, which began in 2015, has set a new global standard in sustainability, technology integration, and operational efficiency for the aviation sector.
At the heart of the redevelopment was a commitment to elevate the passenger experience while aligning with SFO's ambitious long-term goals for environmental stewardship and operational resiliency. The terminal earned the distinction of being the world’s first airport terminal to receive LEED Platinum v4 certification, a milestone complemented by other first-in-the-world certifications such as the WELL Building Standard Core v2 and Fitwel 2-Star Design.
The Harvey Milk Terminal 1 project was conceived as part of SFO’s broader modernization strategy, designed to address increasing passenger demand, support common-use infrastructure, and integrate technology and sustainability across airport systems.
“The primary goal was to enhance passenger capacity and transform the terminal into a fully common-use facility,” said Ryan Louie, Infrastructure Program Manager at SFO. “We wanted to improve passenger flow, boost operational flexibility, and create a seamless, unified experience across the airport.”
To meet these goals, the scope of work included the demolition and full reconstruction of Terminal 1’s pre-security concourse, a new Boarding Area B with access to 25 gates, spacious post-security corridors connecting to adjacent terminals, and a new mezzanine with direct links to transit and parking. The facility is now equipped with a high-performance baggage handling system, improved concessions, and multiple zones dedicated to passenger wellness.
The renovation also prioritized integration with SFO’s Federal Inspection Services (FIS) for international arrivals, furthering its goal of creating a seamless travel experience across domestic and international operations.
The renovation was executed through a progressive design-build approach, strategically divided into two separate but coordinated components: Terminal One Center and Boarding Area B. The structure allowed for parallel construction, enhanced cost modeling, and broadened opportunities for small and local business participation.
Rosendin Electric, the project’s Technology Systems Design-Builder and Systems Integrator, played a pivotal role in delivering more than 30 integrated systems across both projects. “We were engaged to design, install, and activate the full suite of systems that power day-to-day airport operations and the passenger journey,” said Paul Au, Division Manager at Rosendin.
These systems included immersive video walls, dynamic wayfinding, electronic visual information display systems (EVIDS), high-speed Wi-Fi, access control systems with biometrics, CCTV, a Neutral Host Distributed Antenna System (DAS), and an Emergency Responder Radio Communications System (ERRCS). Behind the scenes, Rosendin expanded SFO’s LAN/WAN networks with a robust fiber optic and structured cable backbone.
“Through in-depth collaboration, we were able to deliver a terminal that is aesthetically pleasing but also technology-forward with a path for the future,” Au added. The technology integration also supported the terminal's environmental goals, enabling energy monitoring systems and connectivity for photovoltaic panels and displacement ventilation systems.
To manage construction in a live airport environment, the team implemented a phased strategy, starting with interim gate facilities and gradually transitioning operations to new spaces. Coordination among stakeholders was facilitated by the airport’s "Big Room" environment, a collaborative space for project teams to work side by side, fostering open communication and problem-solving.
Another hallmark of the execution strategy was the refinement of SFO’s Commissioning, Activation, and Simulation (CAS) process—similar to ORAT in the aviation industry. This allowed staff to simulate real-world operational scenarios prior to activation, drastically reducing the risk of Day-One challenges.
Lessons in Sustainability, Technology, and Collaboration
As a flagship for SFO’s net-zero vision, HMT1 embedded sustainability throughout its design and construction practices. The terminal uses dynamic glazing, radiant ceiling systems, displacement ventilation, and a one-megawatt rooftop photovoltaic system to reduce energy use. Indoor air quality was prioritized with high-efficiency air filtration, low-VOC materials, and air quality testing.
“The project shows that ambitious goals can drive groundbreaking outcomes,” Louie said. “By integrating sustainability and resilience from inception through operations, we were able to build one of the healthiest, most environmentally responsible airport terminals in the world.”
Rosendin's work further supported sustainability by ensuring robust system integration. “We connected various building systems through a centralized network backbone that supports long-term data logging, remote control, and monitoring,” Au noted. “That connectivity is vital to achieving LEED and WELL standards.”
Among the most complex elements were the DAS and ERRCS. Louie noted that ERRCS, a newly mandated system at the time of design, had limited UL-listed equipment on the market. “It took intense coordination with city and airport code enforcement to ensure compliance,” he said. The DAS was designed as a Neutral Host model, allowing multiple cellular providers to connect through a single infrastructure—avoiding the inefficiencies of previous build-outs.
From a funding perspective, the $2.4 billion program was financed through a combination of airport revenue bonds, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), Customer Facility Charges (CFCs), and federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants. State and local investments also supported the airport's job training and small business initiatives tied to the project.
A Blueprint for the Future of Aviation
HMT1 stands as a model for future projects both at SFO and across the global airport industry. Its success has already informed the planning of Terminal 3 West Modernization, which aims to build upon the technologies, sustainability strategies, and operational processes piloted in HMT1.
“We are applying updated Sustainable Planning, Design, and Construction Standards based on what we learned here,” Louie said. “From decarbonized materials to smart surfaces and air quality monitoring, every future project will build on this foundation.”
The terminal’s impact is being felt beyond design and infrastructure. Passenger feedback has highlighted a high level of satisfaction with the new facilities, including the yoga room, sensory room, and local art installations. Queue management systems and terminal movement analytics are actively shaping passenger flow strategies.
In naming the terminal after civil rights leader Harvey Milk, SFO further reinforced its commitment to inclusivity, public service, and community values. It is a facility that reflects not just the needs of travelers, but the spirit of the city it serves.
“This project was about more than infrastructure,” Louie said. “It was about building something that people could feel proud of—a place that works well, feels good, and does right by future generations.”
