The San Diego International Airport is undergoing a significant transformation with the upcoming new Terminal 1, a project that highlights the need for modernization to accommodate a rapidly increasing number of travelers.
Interestingly, this endeavor shares a unique historical connection with the word “tween” and the Super Bowl, as they all originated in 1967, the same year Terminal 1 was opened.
Rob Winn, 69, a traveler who experienced the original Terminal 1 during his tween years, describes the terminal as satisfactory. Waiting for a ride in the forecourt on a recent Friday, he expressed that while the terminal has served him well, he is unaware of the amenities slated for the new terminal.
The existing Terminal 1, which is equipped with 14 operational gates, is set for demolition following the inaugural phase of the new terminal, anticipated to open in September. The first phase will introduce 19 gates within a sleek, modern, and efficient design that aims to enhance passenger experience.
Officials from the airport have emphasized that the new terminal will feature 30 restaurants and a collection of public art, including an impressive jellyfish sculpture created by artist Matthew Mazzotta.
In addition to the terminal’s artistic endeavors, two large abstract sculptures by artist and academic Walter J. Hood will welcome travelers as they arrive at the new terminal’s ground transportation plaza, which opened on July 16.
To further support the influx of passengers, a new three-lane roadway is scheduled to open on August 1, ensuring a streamlined and high-capacity route directly to Terminals 1 and 2. In June, the airport finalized a parking plaza that offers more than 5,200 parking spaces, which will be essential for accommodating the growing number of travelers.
Statistics paint a vivid picture of the need for this renovation. In 2024, over 25 million passengers are expected to journey through the San Diego airport, a staggering increase from the 2.5 million who traveled when Terminal 1 first launched. Projections indicate that by 2035, annual passenger numbers across both terminals could reach 39 million.
The plans for the new Terminal 1 are spearheaded by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, which oversees the airport’s daily operations and long-term planning for regional air travel. This transformative project, which carries a price tag of $3.8 billion, is financed through leases and operating agreements with airlines and federal grants, including $75 million from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Airport Terminals Program.
The architectural history of the current Terminal 1 has drawn attention for its distinctive Brutalist style, characterized by raw concrete and imposing shapes that symbolize the architectural trends of the late 20th century. According to airport terminal architect Joseph Barden, the terminal was established before the incorporation of jet bridges, aligning with the mainstream rise of commercial aviation in America.
Barden notes that the design included two-story rotundas, which allowed for the parking of multiple airplanes in a circular formation. However, as the airport grew, the need for expanded seating, restroom facilities, and amenities rendered the rotunda shape less suitable for subsequent terminal designs both at San Diego International Airport and globally.
Brutalism emphasizes unusually shaped structures with substantial mass, often made of rough surfaces. Barden mentions that the waffle pattern displayed in Terminal 1’s concrete façade and overhang creates an inviting atmosphere for travelers in the forecourt.
The architect also highlights the terminal’s unique construction supported by slender, dendriform columns, echoing the artistry found in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Headquarters. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation describes this pioneering work as merging traditional communal organization with contemporary materials to facilitate new social and economic interactions.
As the opening of the new Terminal 1 approaches, its architects and stakeholders are looking forward to welcoming an increased number of travelers while preserving a connection to an iconic piece of the airport’s history.
With both the old and new terminals reflecting different eras of air travel, this project symbolizes a necessary shift in infrastructure to enhance passenger experiences while preparing for the future of aviation in San Diego.
image source from：timesofsandiego
