Mead & Hunt team led the way to a reimagined future in this major terminal upgrade currently underway at Glacier Park International Airport (GPI). The expansion and modernization more than doubles the size of the existing terminal.
The new concourses are comprised of seven gates with departure lounges and boarding bridges. Additional upgrades include enhanced pre- and post-secure concessions, enlarged security checkpoint, baggage claim, airline ticketing offices, ticket lobby, administrative offices, and new baggage handling, screening, and outbound baggage make-up systems.
The design updates an aging terminal through a contemporary mountain aesthetic inspired by nearby national park lodges. Glacier National Park is a prime driver for airport passenger traffic. Backlit steel panels reflecting the natural landscape set the stage for arriving visitors set under a steel, glass, and stone canopy. Bringing the outside in, heavy timber trusses supported on multistory stone piers frame views of the surrounding mountainscape through patterned glass walls. The Great Hall is a mixture of rustic and modern design, welcoming the next generation of visitors to the Flathead Valley.
In addition, the design allows for continuous operation of the existing terminal and anticipates future phases. The new terminal building will provide expanded operational capacity during construction and into the future.
