New terminals at Mobile International Airport in Alabama and Monterey Regional Airport in Northern California will enhance the traveler experience.
In Mobile, the new five-gate terminal will make the downtown airport a domestic and international travel destination. The project, a collaboration between HOK, FSB Architects and Engineers, and the Mobile Airport Authority, will relocate the city’s main airport from Mobile Regional Airport west of the city.
The terminal layout places arrivals and departures on the same elevated level, with check-in and baggage claim flanking a central security area. Large floor-to-ceiling walls anchor the security checkpoint and act as wayfinding beacons. Glass walls fill the space with natural light.
Back-of-house functions and airport offices sit one level below the passenger concourse. The flexible design provides room for the airport to expand to 12 gates.
Outside, an elevated roadway leads to the terminal, with a dramatic canopy extending from the terminal roof to protect passengers from the elements. Native landscaping surrounds the site, which includes a new five-story parking garage.
“The new terminal will elevate the passenger experience at Mobile International and transform travel in the region,” said Peter Ruggiero, HOK’s lead designer on the project. “We’re thrilled to work with the Mobile Airport Authority and FSB to bring the project to life.”
Construction will begin in 2024 and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The project marks a significant milestone in enhancing air travel and regional connectivity in Alabama.
Monterey Regional Airport
In Monterey, the new five-gate terminal will replace the current outdated facility. The single-level layout promotes accessibility and easy wayfinding. An apron level below will support airport, airline and maintenance staff. The project will include the airport’s first passenger boarding bridges so travelers can easily access planes in any weather.
The nature-inspired design features a pre-security garden plaza with lush, native landscaping. From the garden, a glass wall offers views into the terminal’s post-security central plaza, which features a center bar for dining and various seating options for rest and relaxation. A post-security outdoor terrace showcases the region’s scenic beauty and mild climate.
“The Monterey Peninsula Airport District sought a beautiful and cost-effective design that expresses the beauty of Monterey,” said Bart van Vliet, project manager in HOK’s San Francisco studio. “We’re collaborating with them to create an innovative terminal that wows and welcomes passengers to Monterey.”
The project team is also upgrading long- and short-term passenger parking facilities, as well as improving the access roads leading to the airport. The plan includes creating space to accommodate two more aircraft for overnight parking. The airport also can use this extra space for additional ground boarding when the five gates are at capacity.
The new terminal is targeting LEED Platinum certification and net-zero energy readiness.
The airport will remain operational during construction, which is set to begin in 2025.
