LOUNGE 15, PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Client: Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

As the fourth-largest port of entry for travellers flying to the U.S.A., Pearson International Airport handles more than 5.5 million such passengers annually – and the wait for US CBP Customs and Border Protection can be long. To improve efficiency and the passenger experience, the GTAA asked us to transform a 20,000 sf partially unfinished expansion space into an overflow waiting area with seating for 480 people. They wanted it to be clearly separated from the very busy international check-in areas nearby, and it had to be completed within two months. We created an indoor “garden café” that was a fun and lively addition to the terminal.

GATE 193, TORONTO PEARSON AIRPORT

Client: Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

Terminal 1 was designed to handle domestic, international, and trans-border flights in one facility. However, before Gate 193 was added, serving busy small-plane commuter traffic required busing passengers to an older building. This 26,000 sf extension we designed added 14 commuter aircraft positions to Terminal 1, eliminating the shuttle service. Airport efficiency and passenger comfort improved dramatically.

The GTAA’s plan to use prefab portable modules could not meet the safety requirements, so they asked us to design a building to be operational within seven months and that could be easily dismantled for relocation, permitting future expansion of the main terminal building.

We designed a 1,000+ foot long building with a series of interior and exterior gates, passenger waiting rooms, concessions, washrooms, and offices, meeting all safety and security requirements. We also relocated an existing fabric canopy structure from the satellite building to provide sheltered access to seven new gates.

WIND ATTENUATION SCREEN, PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Client: Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

On the roof of the parking garage for Terminal 1, strong westerly winds were causing problems with the automatic doors to the elevator lobby, to the extent that the motors were breaking down. Given a limited construction budget of $50,000 to create a wind mitigation structure that would be effective and not completely obscure the view of the doors, we designed a screen that is fun, functional and elegant.

INFORMATION SERVICES, PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Client: GTAA

Despite their importance as the first introduction to a region, airport welcome centres are notoriously hard to find and frequently boring and utilitarian. At Pearson, the GTAA wanted to refresh the dated centre in the International Arrivals at Terminal 1. They asked us to improve the visibility and function while retaining the existing open frame structure and within a limited budget. We transformed the dated, visually noisy space into a highly visible and hospitable meeting place that creates a positive arrival experience.