Five designs competing for the Chicago O’Hare’s $8.5 billion expansion have been unveiled by the Chicago Department of Aviation, the five selected proposals are on display for the public to vote until January 23, 2019 at the O’Hare 21 website. The proposed schemes are also exhibited at the Chicago Architecture Center. 

The five finalists include Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Foster + Partners - Epstein and Moreno, Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza, Studio ORD Joint Venture Partners and Santiago Calatrava. The project, named O’Hare 21, will be the first major expansion of O’Hare in 25 years. 

The new terminal will replace the existing structure (Terminal 2) built in 1960s. The five finalists' innovative designs will build a cutting-edge new O’Hare Global Terminal, while reflecting the legacy of Chicago’s innovation, architecture and diversity.

Mayor Mayor Rahm Emanuel is now inviting the public to review the designs and share their opinions on which best represents a modern airport and the City’s aviation future.

"As the City that makes no little plans, Chicago is taking a bold step forward to choose the architect team that will set the course for O’Hare’s biggest transformation yet," said Mayor Emanuel. 

"This design competition celebrates our tradition of innovation and world-leading architectural history. As we move forward with the O’Hare expansion, we invite our residents and travelers to weigh in on one of the largest terminals in the country."

The winning teams will deliver designs for a new, modernized terminal that will dramatically improve first impressions of the city for tens of millions of visitors every year. This unique opportunity represents the first time the City of Chicago has involved public feedback in a design competition at its airports. At 2.25 million square feet, O'Hare's new terminal will be among the largest terminals built in the U.S.

The centerpiece of this project is the $8.5 billion expansion of O’Hare, set to increase gates, terminal capacity and amenities, and enhance the city's leading global connectivity. 

Over the next decade, O’Hare 21 is anticipated to create tens of thousands of construction jobs, and to continue growing economic opportunity to support the City and its future.

See the 5 selected designs below:

Images courtesy of Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners, Epstein and Moreno

"Foster + Partners, Epstein and Moreno's design is based upon a sequence of memorable and distinctive spaces that create a gateway to Chicago with architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive, welcoming and functional, in turn resolving the sophisticated security, airport and airline requirements in a way that meets the needs of both employees and passengers. Three arches frame the landside of the building, merging into a grand single arch on the airside, thus dissolving the barrier between inside and out and allowing the spectacle of the airfield to be visible to all who pass through the gateway, and recapturing the romance associated with air travel."

Image courtesy of SOM

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

"SOM's elegantly undulating O’Hare Global Terminal aims to be the world’s best, through optimal functional planning, great design, and keen practicality – all quintessential Chicago qualities. SOM infuses the muscular heritage of Chicago architecture and engineering with many lessons from the natural environment, to increase human comfort, save energy and define a distinctive sense of place. This can be Chicago’s next great building and our new gateway to the world."

Image courtesy of Studio ORD

Studio ORD

"Chicago is a city defined by motion; confluence – of our river, of trail networks, of railroads – has shaped our most vibrant civic spaces. Studio ORD’s elegant and efficient design for the O’Hare Global Terminal and Global Concourse unifies the airport’s campus by converging seamless lines of motion across three terminals around a spectacular central Oculus. This confluence becomes Orchard Field - a vibrant neighborhood that combines abundant green spaces with distinctive landmarks, bespoke retail pavilions, and diverse activity zones. Richly layered and easily navigable, it captures the unique character of Chicago and redefines O’Hare as a 21st century international destination."

Image courtesy of Santiago Calatrava

Santiago Calatrava

"O’Hare’s Global Terminal by Santiago Calatrava is a masterwork of modern terminal architecture. With a glass façade and dramatic shell-like roof soaring over the approach road, the building unifies the terminal complex while establishing itself as its centerpiece. Inside, vaulted, light-filled spaces celebrate both the grandeur and simplicity of bygone travel as customers move easily to and from gate areas enlivened by Chicago-focused concessions in an airy, park-like setting."

"Convenient links to adjacent terminals, satellite concourses, and public transit support a future Vision plan that transforms the area opposite the Terminal into a vibrant hotel, retail and business complex."

Image courtesy of Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza

Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza

"The Fentress-EXP-Brook-Garza Joint Venture’s globally-minded terminal design for Chicago provides an elegant, spacious, and sustainable gateway to connect Chicagoans and the world with speed and efficiency. Soaring spaces sparkle with sunlight and lift the human spirit. Daylight and spatial composition guide passengers intuitively and purposefully. The latest technological advances shape a smart, seamless, comfortable, and unencumbered experience. From arrival to departure, every element of the new terminal is crafted to elevate the passenger, making their journey inspiring, engaging, stirring, and fun. Our vision is to return the romance of air travel to all who pass through Chicago’s O’Hare."

> via Chicago Department of Aviation