The largest expansion in O’Hare’s history, Concourse D will play a significant role in transforming the airport and enhancing the passenger experience. Atelier Ten is collaborating with the design team to incorporate nature and daylight into the modern, larger concourses, with a strong emphasis on human comfort.
The new concourse is designed to create a visually enticing and comfortable environment for all O’Hare travelers while prioritizing environmental performance. Atelier Ten’s daylight analysis and life cycle assessment informed the structural approach, optimizing embodied carbon, thermal performance and daylight access.
The design features a series of branching “tree columns” that support the curved roof. These structural elements pay homage to the airport site while reducing steel quantities and glazing areas by up to 70% compared to a conventional box structure.
Daylight is leveraged throughout the concourse, allowing over 90% of occupied areas to operate without electric lighting during the day. Informed by the Midwest climate, the roof geometry is shaped to minimize unwanted solar heat gain while maximizing daylight. The skylight design distributes daylight into central circulation and gathering zones, allowing for both people and indoor plantings to thrive. Perimeter waiting areas have been optimized to permit access to useful daylight & views while minimizing discomfort glare.
Atelier Ten is also analyzing a range of envelope and HVAC measures to improve building performance, optimize embodied carbon, and guide the team to the targeted SAM certification requirements for airports.
