Architectural Innovations Brings Pittsburgh Perspective to Design of New $1.7 Billion PIT Terminal

The 811,000 square-foot, three-level terminal was designed by a team led by Gensler and HDR in association with Luis Vidal + Architects, with Architectural Innovations providing architectural support throughout the project. The new facility replaces PIT’s original landside terminal, built in 1992 to serve as a US Airways connecting hub, with a design built around how travelers move through the airport today. Inspired by the rolling hills and foliage of Western Pennsylvania, the terminal features a sweeping, undulating roof supported by 38 unique architecturally exposed steel columns, a wood soffit embedded with thousands of constellation-style lights, and a color-changing skybridge connecting to the airside terminal. The redesign also streamlined operations throughout the building, including a 12-lane security checkpoint and a baggage system that cuts delivery times by roughly half.

Prix Versailles, headquartered in France, recognized PIT’s vast undulating roofline as evocative of the nearby mountains and praised the terminal as the region’s newest emblem of innovation and sustainable construction. The honor places Pittsburgh International alongside six other airports from around the world, including terminals in Frankfurt, San Diego, and Phnom Penh.

“Architectural Innovations has a long-standing history of delivering complex projects within the Pittsburgh region,” said Jan Brimmeier, President and Owner of Architectural Innovations, LLC. “We are excited to have brought our design and architectural expertise to this collaboration, helping to ensure a world-class facility that reflects the innovation and spirit of our home city.”

Architectural Innovations has provided architecture, interior design, planning, and consulting services across sectors including aviation, healthcare, education, and government since Jan Brimmeier founded the firm in 2004. The firm’s involvement in PIT’s terminal modernization adds to a project list that already spans municipal, educational, and commercial work throughout the Pittsburgh region.

About Architectural Innovations, LLC
Architectural Innovations, LLC is a certified Small and Woman Business Enterprise (SBE/WBE) and one of the largest woman-owned architectural firms headquartered in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2004 by Jan Brimmeier, AIA, NCARB, the firm provides architecture, interior design, planning, and consulting services for government, municipal, healthcare, education, aviation, religious, retail, commercial, and residential clients throughout the region and beyond. Architectural Innovations is based in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit www.aipgh.com.

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