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Architecture News

City of Chicago Unveils Five Finalist Designs for O’Hare International Airport

By Miriam Sitz
01-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-1-Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg

Team 1: Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners

Image courtesy Chicago Department of Aviation

02-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-2-Foster-Epstein-Moreno-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg

Team 2: Foster Epstein Moreno Joint Venture Partners

Image courtesy Chicago Department of Aviation

03-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-3-Studio-ORD-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg

Team 3: Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners

Image courtesy Chicago Department of Aviation

04b-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-4-Skidmore-Owings-Merrill.jpg

Team 4: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill

Image courtesy Chicago Department of Aviation

Calatrava

Team 5: Santiago Calatrava

Image courtesy Chicago Department of Aviation

01-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-1-Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg
02-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-2-Foster-Epstein-Moreno-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg
03-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-3-Studio-ORD-Joint-Venture-Partners.jpg
04b-Chicago-OHare-Airport-Rendering-Team-4-Skidmore-Owings-Merrill.jpg
Calatrava
January 17, 2019

This morning, the City of Chicago unveiled five finalist designs for O’Hare International Airport’s $8.5-billion expansion.

The teams behind the proposals include: Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners; Foster Epstein Moreno Joint Venture Partners; Studio ORD  Joint Venture Partners (Studio Gang with Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Corgan, Milhouse Engineering and Construction, and STL Architects); Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; and Santiago Calatrava. The Chicago Department of Aviation launched the search for a lead architect for the airport in June 2018. A total of 12 teams submitted Statements of Qualifications, and the City shortlisted five.

“As the City that makes no little plans, Chicago is taking a bold step forward to choose the architect team that will set the course for O’Hare’s biggest transformation yet,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement. “This design competition celebrates our tradition of innovation and world-leading architectural history. As we move forward with the O’Hare expansion, we invite our residents and travelers to weigh in on one of the largest terminals in the country.

Renderings and models of each design proposal will be on display at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) through the end of January.

“All Chicagoans have a stake in O’Hare, as a vital economic engine and an exciting gateway to our city—a place where iconic architecture reflects Chicago’s rich legacy of design innovation,” said Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of the CAC, in a statement. “The CAC, Chicago’s home for debating design, is thrilled to help Chicagoans have their say on this next great initiative for our city.”

The City is requesting feedback on the designs via a five-question survey. The public feedback period ends January 23. Swipe through the images above, and watch the videos below, for more information about each team’s design.


Team 1: Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture Partners

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Team 2: Foster Epstein Moreno Joint Venture Partners

 

Team 3: Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners

 

Team 4: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill

 

Team 5: Santiago Calatrava

KEYWORDS: airport design Chicago

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Miriam Sitz was a staff writer and editor for Architectural Record from 2015 to 2020, during which time she served as the web editor, then senior news & web editor.

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