Gensler and San Diego International Airport Set a Global Benchmark With the New Terminal 1: Sustainable, Experience-Driven Design

From Expanded Gates and Intuitive Wayfinding to Carbon-Free Operations, the New Terminal Creates a Gateway That Reflects Southern California’s Spirit and Sets New Industry Standards

September 23, 2025 — Gensler, in partnership with Turner-Flatiron, has led the transformation of Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport (SAN), redefining the traveler experience at the nation’s busiest single-runway commercial airport. The new Terminal 1 replaces the original 1960s-era structure with a facility nearly three times larger — expanding from 336,000 square feet to approximately one million square feet — and positions San Diego as a hub of innovation, connectivity, and sustainability for decades to come.

Growing demand is reshaping air travel, and the new Terminal 1 rises to the challenge. Opening with 19 gates, 17 new food and retail concessions, 13 security lanes, and seven baggage carousels, the facility vastly expands SAN’s ability to better serve travelers. A second phase, scheduled for completion in early 2028, will add 11 additional gates, further enhancing the airport’s role as a gateway to the region. The terminal also includes 23 modern restrooms, a substantial improvement from the previous facility’s 14 restrooms.

“Airports are more than infrastructure; they are cultural front doors that reflect the identity and aspirations of a city,” said Terence Young, Principal and Design Director at Gensler. “Our design for Terminal 1 celebrates Southern California’s natural beauty with abundant daylight, local materials, and expansive views. Every element of the terminal prioritizes a seamless, human-centered experience for every traveler. From natural wayfinding to diverse amenities, the journey is designed to reduce stress and maximize comfort.”

The terminal’s design embraces sunlight and views, and fluid wayfinding and circulation. The curved, fritted glass panels of the facade, itself a piece of public art titled “Luminous Wave,” designed in collaboration with artist James Carpenter, illuminate the ticketing hall while reducing glare on monitors and wayfinding screens; triangular bracing columns minimize interior obstructions; and wave-inspired wood ceilings and acoustic treatments create a calming security experience. The terminal also celebrates the variety of the surrounding San Diego landscape through experiential design moments both large and small. An outdoor dining terrace with views of the San Diego skyline and Harbor Island seats more than 300 guests.

Transportation improvements further integrate the terminal into the city’s urban fabric, with new access roadways, a ground transportation plaza, and enhanced pedestrian walkways and multi-use paths along North Harbor Drive. The new Terminal 1 is pursuing LEED v4 Silver certification, Parksmart Gold for the parking plaza, and Envision v3 Silver for infrastructure performance. The terminal operates on 100% carbon-free electricity, supported by stormwater reuse systems, a 900,000-gallon underground cistern, and a roof designed to accommodate a 4 MW solar array. The terminal is projected to reduce total energy use by 20% and embodied carbon by more than 30%, with a structural lifespan exceeding 100 years. Terminal 1 is a cornerstone of SAN’s long-term airport campus transformation plan and aligns with the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan, advancing a vision for airports that are efficient, resilient, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

“San Diego’s Terminal 1 is more than a new building — it signals a turning point for the aviation industry,” said Ty Osbaugh, Global Aviation Leader at Gensler. “Airports are no longer judged only by how many planes they move, but by how well they move people — through experiences that restore calm, through operations that cut carbon, and through connections that drive regional economies. What excites us about Terminal 1 is how it proves that an airport can be both a high-performance engine and a reflection of its city’s character, setting a new bar for what travelers should expect worldwide.”

About Gensler Aviation

Gensler Aviation, ranked #1 in the U.S. for airport terminal and facility design by Building Design+Construction, is shaping the future of global air travel. Today, the firm is simultaneously delivering on more than a dozen major airport projects, from regional hubs to mega-terminals, marking the most ambitious aviation portfolio in the influential firm’s 60-year history. Gensler helps airports compete on traveler experience, drive sustainability, and unlock long-term economic and civic value for their gateway cities. The firm is leading iconic U.S. projects in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Pittsburgh, Dallas Fort Worth, Phoenix, Tampa, and more.

About Gensler

At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.