Team Led by Mexican-American, Chicago-Based Architect in Running for $8.7B O'Hare Expansion
As Chicago’s International O'Hare Airport gears up to build a new $8.7B terminal project, a local 'super group' led by a Mexican-American architect is one of the teams in the running. The team includes three powerhouse international firms brought together and helmed by Chicago-based architect Francisco Gonzalez Pulido. Pulido is a dual citizen of Mexico / U.S. and is the founder and head of FGP Atelier. The other architecture firms on the team are Woods Bagot and Studio Fuksas.
Diversity is an essential ingredient to the success of this project, especially as the design will touch the global community. The selection of this minority-led team would send a powerful message about Chicago’s commitment to diversity at the highest level of project leadership, and support for the local (and global) community.
Awarding this 10+ year project to the FGP Atelier team would distinguish O’Hare as the first airport terminal in the United States to be co-designed by a Mexican/American architect through a joint venture, as well as include a Minority Business Enterprise at the primary contractor level.
About the team
FGP Atelier (MBE) is based in Chicago. The firm is led by Pulido and is supported by John Manaves of Scalaplus.
Woods Bagot is based in San Francisco, NYC, and has 15 offices worldwide. The US aviation sector is led by Carsten Voecker and Richard Spencer and supported by global aviation leader James Berry.
Studio Fuksas is based in Italy and is led by Massimiliano Fuksas and Doriana Mandrelli.
Combined, the proposed O’Hare teams have designed multiple award-winning airports, including:
- Bangkok International Airport (FGP)
- Bao'an Airport in Shenzhen, China (Studio Fuksas)
- San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal, Boarding Area B (*Woods Bagot – credits below)
- Francisco Gonzalez Pulido and Massimiliano Fuksas will serve as co-lead designers of the O’Hare Global Terminal with Richard Spencer serving as lead planner.
- ViaTechnik, a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) will provide BIM consulting services.
The team’s proposed design focuses on creating an innovative experience that meets the highest standards of sustainability—going beyond LEED. The passenger-centric approach is reflective of Chicago’s diverse cultures and communities. Their ultimate aspiration is to create local jobs and infuse the 10-plus-year project with diversity, a global mindshare, and create a cutting-edge gateway to the United States—which will serve as a new benchmark for airport design.
The airport of the future will necessarily cater to the traveler of the future. To that end, the team will interview Chicago school children to bring a more holistic view to the design.
