The Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal:
Crown Jewel of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
It feels like Austin.
From Barton Springs to Eeyore's Birthday, from the University of Texas Longhorns to the annual Spam-a-rama, no place is quite like Austin, Texas. Educated and progressive, yet warm, comfortable and accommodating — you couldn't ask for a better combination of high-tech get-up-and-go and laid-back, Southern friendly. So when the designers of the Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport began planning the facility, they faced a unique challenge. From the very beginning, they realized the gateway to Austin must not only be functional, it must reflect the unique character, culture and heritage of the Capital of Texas.
Named in honor of the late Barbara Jordan, Austin educator, first black woman elected to the Texas Senate and three-time Congresswoman, the $115 million facility has been the single largest construction project in the City of Austin's history, and the crown jewel of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The terminal's design celebrates two central themes key to Austin: the community's love of nature, and an expression of the city's status as an educational and technological center. The result is a dramatic, yet user-friendly facility that feels — and even sounds — just like Austin.
Indigenous materials, local artwork, and Austin-oriented activities combine to deliver an experience that's uniquely Austin. The first thing you notice about the Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal are the stunning entryways encased in native granite and glass. In fact, the entire facility is primarily encased in glass, granite and metal panels. More than 50,000 square feet of Texas Pearl, a homegrown white and pale pink granite flecked with black, from nearby Marble Falls, Texas, graces the exterior.
Inside, the large glass panels allow natural light to bathe the entire facility and fill it with a warm, comfortable glow. (Don't worry, the panels are specially designed to let in the Texas sunshine, but block the Texas heat.) The facility is light and airy, with views that take full advantage of the blue Texas sky. Sculptures, paintings, and other artwork are woven into the design. From the nine-part mural interpretation of Enchanted Rock in the east ticket lobby to the whimsical big hair/cowboy hat etchings on the baggage level restroom mirrors, these pieces reflect the region in both themes and materials.
Also found inside the terminal is the Market Place, a centrally located area roughly the size of a city block that soars to 53 feet and houses restaurants, shops, and a Live Music Stage that plays host to Austin musicians. This “living room” is drenched in diffused natural light from the clerestory windows, part of an energy-efficient design, with exposed steel roof trusses providing interesting architectural details.
The flavors of Austin.
To give travelers a uniquely Austin perspective, vendors, concessionaires and restaurants were chosen for their local flavor. Hungry travelers can choose from a satisfying sandwich from Schlotzsky's Deli, Tex-Mex food from Austin's own Matt's El Rancho, mouth-watering barbecue from The Salt Lick or Harlon's, a double dip cone from Amy's Ice Creams, or an Auntie Anne's pretzel. If you're thirsty, you can pop into one of several bars for beer, wine, or cocktails.
Designed to make traveling a more pleasant experience.
Functionally, the Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal is a breath of fresh air to Austin travelers. Before designing the facility, the architectural team looked carefully at airports throughout the world, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each before determining the final design.
For instance, the Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal provides two levels to separate arriving and departing passengers. An upper level drop-off area places travelers close to the gates and ticket counters, and a lower level quickly leads passengers from the baggage claim area out to passenger pick-up, mass transit and taxis. For travelers planning to leave their cars at the airport, both economy surface parking (7,733 spaces) and short term garage parking (2,419 public spaces) are available.
Once travelers or airport visitors step into the terminal, the simple, direct, open layout of the crescent-shaped facility allows them to intuitively find their way around. One glance and it's clear where the gates, ticket counters, baggage claim, and other important airport amenities are located.
The Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal boasts four levels — concourse, mezzanine, baggage claim, and the aircraft apron — and stretches 2,095 feet from end-to-end, almost the length of seven football fields. Yet the facility is only 280 feet wide, allowing passengers to move from ticketing to gates and baggage claim quickly and easily. Since Austin is an origin and destination airport, not a hub, most passengers do not change planes here, nor do they move from one gate to another.
So, the long, narrow design makes perfect sense, as it places every passenger as close as possible to their destination. The terminal includes more than 510,000 square feet of conditioned space and 140,000 square feet of unconditioned space, primarily the aircraft apron level. Baggage handling facilities are centrally located in a large atrium beneath the ticketing lobby. Five conventional baggage claim carousels and one claim device dedicated for oversize baggage, as well as curbside baggage check in, reliably move passenger luggage and packages.
Designed to meet the needs of the future.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened May 23, 1999. Estimates call for over 6 million passengers to move through the terminal in its first year alone. With meeters and greeters, over 15 million people are expected to visit the Passenger Terminal. The Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal has 25 gates: one gate for commuters and 24 gates for larger aircraft, including an international gate sized for wide body aircraft, and complete with a Federal Inspection Service area for processing international arrivals. However, as Austin grows and the need arises, the terminal's design allows for easy expansion — up to 55 gates if necessary.
Bottom line? Every aspect of the Barbara Jordan Passenger Terminal, from the open, sunny Market Place, to the easy walk to parking, is designed to make travel to and from Austin a convenient, pleasurable and memorable experience.
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