Drawing on the Silicon Valley's tech-savvy background, the modernization of the
Mineta San Jose International Airport included state-of-the-art technology and
sustainable building practices to create an airport unlike any other in the nation.
By Dani Smith
The southern part of the San Francisco Bay
area in California was nicknamed Silicon
Valley, originally, as a result of the region's
large number of silicon chip innovators and
manufacturers that called the area home.
Now, the nickname is used as a metonym for the area's
world leadership in technological advancements and
development. So, it comes as no surprise that when
Silicon Valley's airport, Mineta San Jose International
Airport (SJC), decided to modernize their facilities, it
would be with the most updated tech-savvy upgrades and
sustainable improvements.
Originally built in 1965, the airport has been
expanded several times throughout the years, however,
the airport was in need of a major modernization due
to the areas growth. "Because of growing activity and
flights at Silicon valley's airport, as well as the evolution
of aviation and airport design, these terminal facilities
had become inadequate to meet travelers' expectations
and airlines' needs in the 21st century,"said David
Vossbrink, communications director for Mineta San Jose
International Airport. "Compounding the challenge,
new security requirements following Sept. 11, 2001
attacks meant the airport did not have adequate space
to ensure that checkpoints could operate efficiently
and comfortably." He also stated that, the old airport
facilities did not serve or represent the unique qualities
of the people and businesses of Silicon Valley and their
innovative entrepreneurial spirit and commitment
to technology.
The Terminal Area Improvement Plan (TAIP) was
not a new idea, rather, its been in the works for over a
decade. It was originally planned as an expansion project
in the 1990s, when the Silicon Valley was experiencing
a surge of traffic as it was in the center of the dot.com
boom and by the year 2000, its airport was operating
beyond capacity. "During the dot.com boom there was
much urgency to move ahead with the improvements since
the then aging facilities were running substantially over
capacity," explained Vossbrink. So, the Airport Master
Plan was approved by the San Jose City Council in 1997
for an upgraded facility that would cost an estimated
$4.5 billion. However, with the collapse of the boom in
2000 and followed by the September 11 attacks in 2001,
followed again by the recession, the amount of flight
passengers declined and plans for an expansion were
halted and reevaluated. The project was scaled back to
$1.5 billion and focused on a modernization rather than
an expansion, and in 2005, the San Jose City Council
approved revised plans. "SJC's TAIP was to modernize
the existing airport as quickly and efficiently as possible
at this location. It is already extremely convenient to
Downtown San Jose, all Silicon Valley communities and
major corporations including: Google, Apple, Cisco, Intel
and Hewlett Packard," Vossbrink expressed.
The TAIP has two phases. The first phase was the
current $1.3 billion modernization that included:
Construction of Terminal B Concourse, removal of
Terminal C to be replaced with the new Terminal B as
well as a consolidated rental car center and public parking
garage and roadway improvements. The second phase
of TAIP will occur when passenger activity or flights
reach specific levels to accommodate future growth of the
airport, so the date of phase two has yet to be determined.
In early 2007, work began on the first phase with a
strong effort to complete major facilities by 2010. Hensel
Phelps Construction was hired as the master contractor
for a design-build program with Fentress Architects as
its architecture partner. "Based on Fentress's experience
designing both world-class airports and successful
design-build projects, we were brought in to team with
Hensel Phelps Construction Company on the Mineta San
Jose International Airport modernization," said Curtis
Fentress, chairman and principal in charge of design with
Fentress Architects. "We were challenged to create an
innovative and iconic design within the confines of a tight
budget and unique linear site."
The entirely new Terminal B was opened in June
of 2010 and built to Leadership in Energy Efficiency
Design (LEED) Silver standards while the Terminal A
remodel and the parking garage were completed in June
2011. Replacing the original 1965 Terminal C, which
was demolished in 2008, the new Terminal B facility
has optimized energy performance and has exceeded
efficiency standards for a building of its size by 16 percent.
Designed by two separate architects, the construction of
Terminal B, designed by Fentress architects and Terminal
B Concourse, designed by Gensler with construction
management by Gilbane Building Co., both used
sustainable strategies that included: energy-efficient
glazing, water conservation measures that achieve 75
percent less water use than in a conventional building,
and recycling or reuse of 94 percent of construction waste.
"We are proud to say that San Jose's Terminal B is the first
entirely new passenger terminal west of the Mississippi
River to achieve LEED-Silver certification," said Fentress.
"As the most technologically-advanced airport in the
United States, San Jose provides a convenient world-class
passenger experience while greatly reducing its impact on
the environment."
Integrated with Terminal B Concourse, Terminal B
also features 12 aircraft gates with new ticket counters,
a large and efficient security checkpoint, baggage claim,
comfortable waiting areas with free WiFi and shops and
restaurants both pre- and post-security as well as stateof-
the-art, automated inline baggage screening system.
From curbside to airside, Terminal B establishes a logical
sense of order. Soaring ceilings promote an open feeling
and aid traveler orientation. "Since this is Silicon Valley's
airport, we wanted a design that would honor the region's
innovative soul. The elongated form of San Jose's new
Terminal B conveys a forward-looking personality,
earning the regional nickname, 'the telescope,'" expressed
Fentress. "The design was inspired by the coaxial cable
that initially brought the region worldwide recognition.
As you look at the airport design, you can even imagine
that the cable is unraveling to welcome the next-gen
broadband world."
Opened in 1990, the original Terminal A was in
dyer need of an upgrade and has been transformed to
improve and surpass customer convenience and comfort.
The upgrade was complete in 2010 and includes: new
street-level ticketing, which has increased the number
of airline ticket stations by 60 percent, the new stateof-
the-art baggage screening and handling system, the
expanded security checkpoint to move
passengers faster and more efficiently
in addition to more comfortable
waiting areas for passengers;
remodeled bathrooms and new shops
and restaurants.
Creating the new Terminal B
and Terminal B Concorse and
modernizing Terminal A has proved
to be a much needed improvement
not only for the Silicon Valley, but for
the world of air flight, creating a sleek
and beautiful design that operates
more efficiently and better serves
the community. "We have moved
airport design and construction
forward through innovation. This
includes the design-build delivery method; shared use
technology for ticket counters and gates that provide
flexibility; advanced baggage screening system; sustainable
design; and outstanding convenience and comfort for our
customers," said Vossbrink. Curt Fentress added, "The
San Jose International Airport modernization, or TAIP,
truly transformed the airport. It is now a memorable
gateway unique to Silicon Valley, offering cutting edge
innovations, the latest in sustainable design and high-tech
art program."
Dani Smith is editor of American Infrastructure. She may be
contacted at dsmith@penpubinc.com
Mineta San Jose Intl Airport
