Domestic Terminal, Phoenix, AZ USA

Further information and case study for this project can be found at the De Gruyter Birkhäuser Modern Construction Online database

The following architectural case study is not available at Modern Construction Online

Domestic Airport Terminal, Las Vegas — Infrastructure as Architecture

This project reimagines the airport terminal as both public infrastructure and civic architecture. Designed and engineered by Newtecnic, the terminal combines operational efficiency, environmental performance and architectural clarity within a highly integrated framework capable of adapting to future patterns of travel and development.

The project is organised around a clear and legible passenger experience. Arrival, departure, security, waiting and boarding functions are arranged within an open and easily understood sequence of spaces that support efficient movement while maintaining a strong sense of orientation. Rather than treating the terminal as a container for operational processes, the architecture uses structure, light and spatial organisation to create a coherent public environment.

A central objective of the design is long-term adaptability. The terminal was initially conceived to operate with ground-level aircraft access while incorporating provisions for the future introduction of upper-level boarding bridges. This approach allows the building to evolve alongside changing operational requirements without requiring fundamental reconstruction. Flexibility is therefore embedded within the architecture from the outset rather than added as a later consideration.

The structural system plays a significant role in establishing the character of the building. Long-span steel trusses and inclined support structures create large unobstructed concourse spaces that simplify circulation and maximise flexibility. Structure is not concealed behind finishes but contributes directly to the architectural identity of the terminal, providing both spatial order and visual clarity.

The building envelope is developed as an integrated environmental and architectural system. Aluminium rainscreen panels, glazing systems and supporting structures work together to moderate solar gain, control environmental performance and provide a durable external skin suited to the Nevada climate. The façade is designed as a layered assembly that can be maintained, adapted and upgraded throughout the life of the building while preserving the integrity of the overall architecture.

Environmental systems are closely coordinated with the structure and enclosure. Mechanical services, lighting and acoustic systems are integrated within the building framework, allowing technical requirements to support rather than compete with the spatial experience of the terminal. The result is an environment in which performance and architectural expression emerge from the same organisational logic.

Digital modelling, fabrication and coordination processes support the development of the project, allowing structure, enclosure and services to be resolved as interconnected systems. Construction is therefore understood not simply as the delivery of a completed design but as an integral part of the design process itself.

The project demonstrates how infrastructure can achieve both operational efficiency and architectural quality. By integrating structure, environmental performance, construction and spatial organisation within a unified framework, the terminal becomes more than a transport facility. It becomes a civic building that supports movement, orientation and public life while remaining adaptable to future change.

The result is an airport terminal whose character emerges from clarity, coordination and performance. Architecture and engineering operate together to create a building that is efficient, resilient and capable of evolving over time while maintaining a strong and legible identity.