Steel Project Case Study Gallery: Baltimore Washington International Airport

Terri Meyer Boake BES BArch MArch LEED AP
Associate Professor :: Associate Director :: School of Architecture :: University of Waterloo

Baltimore Washington International Airport

3 spaces -- 3 steel structural systems

International Departures Addition

Baltimore, Maryland

Project Information:

Travelling around the world, it is difficult not to come across steel, used in very expressive, exposed and innovative ways, in airports. Airport architecture has developed a language of architecturally exposed steel design that has both maintained its contemporary look, as well as changed to keep up with architectural style, throughout the past 20 or 30 years. The design of Baltimore Washington International is a good example of such change.

The terminal is presently undergoing expansion. The central part of the terminal, the original portion, used a proprietary spaceframe system to define its main structure. The international departures addition (pictured above) used a similar, but upgraded, spaceframe system, and modified the spatial qualities of this portion of the terminal through its use. The current 2004/5 expansion has switch to structural HSS tube members to define its architecture and structure.

The spaceframe used in this addition is similar, but not identical to the system used in the main portion of the terminal (earlier construction date). The feel of this portion of the terminal is much lighter, as the geometry of the spaceframe is modified to include more glazing and a high triangular skylight area in the multi height opening at the far end of the area. A vertical steel support system is also employed to provide wind bracing for the front glazed wall curbside.

central terminal portion

2004/5 addition

Project Images: International Departures Addition


Interior view of international departures area looking toward the spaceframe that supports the curtain wall along the curbside area.	View up towards the combined skylight and clerestory glazing. The translucency of the glazing is varied as a means to cut down on excessive heat gain, but still keep a brightly lit space.


View into the corner of the roof shwoing the pyramid like shape of the ceiling.	Detail of a connector piece.


View into the central triangular area of the international departures zone.	Through the glass you can see the shadow of the exterior stair that provides access to the roof for maintenance.


View up into the pyramidal skylight.	The triangular skylight sits atop an atrium space that provides view to the arrivals level below.


Connection of the space frame to a column support.	Detail of connection point.


A steel framed canopy provides a sense of enclosure over the check in counters.	A tension system is used to support this canopy.


Side view of the cantilevered canopy.	Interior detail of the canopy structure. The top is covered with a fine steel screen that allows some light penetration.


View along the front wall showing the wind bracing.	Detailed view of the wind bracing and its connection to the curtain wall at curbside.