A Soaring Space
Additional ground-boarding gates were initially planned as a temporary solution requiring eventual demolition. However, through a collaborative effort, the design team partnered with the client, guiding them toward a more forward-thinking, long-term approach. The team proposed a phased terminal expansion, which is connected to the east end of the terminal’s ticket wing.
The five-gate expansion spans 75,400 square feet and is served by a dedicated four-lane security checkpoint. After passing through security, passengers are greeted by an expansive, hangar-like double-height space, or “connector hall”, featuring concessions, a variety of seating areas, and a glass curtainwall offering panoramic ground-level views of the airfield. With an eye on the future, the hall will serve as a connection point to the future elevated Concourse A, minimizing disruption to ongoing airport operations.
Enhanced Amenities
In the new concourse, spacious holdrooms offer unique apron-level views of aircraft operations and ample seating and easy access to nearby restrooms, a mother’s room and pet relief areas. Gate entrances are co-located to minimize visual obstructions for airport operations and are demarcated by overhead lighting. Carpet, artwork and signage feature The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority’s brand colors against light terrazzo flooring and stainless-steel accents. Patterns in the terrazzo intuitively guide travelers, and a linear wood ceiling system with integrated lighting adds warmth to the space.
In the existing concourse, our team reconfigured the holdrooms to increase seating capacity and accommodate design upgrades to concessions. Additionally, we designed new escalators to improve passenger flow.
