Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport ranks as the world’s second-busiest airport. It offers nonstop and direct service to nearly 200 cities worldwide. Contributing to its world-class traveler experience, the airport updated and expanded its international terminal from 15,000 to 26,000 square feet. This renovation, completed in early 2014, incorporates an open plenum metal ceiling system above the newly redesigned TSA Checkpoint, and a metal baffle ceiling system above the renovated and expanded Concessions Program.
Westfield Concession Management and its tenant partners invested more than $26 million into the terminal’s transformation. The redevelopment plan also allows for 15 new dining and retail brands to be located in the “post-security” zone, a marked increase from what was offered there before the expansion. Westfield selected Chicago-based Epstein’s interior design and structural engineering team for the project. To suit the international terminal’s ceiling needs, Chicago-based ROCKFON ceiling systems were specified for the project.
Terminal 5 was designed more than 20 years ago by Perkins+Will. “Its modern, clean design is recognized and appreciated,” says John Kolb, Epstein’s associate vice president, IIDA, LEED AP. “We wanted to take the vocabulary of the original building and continue it through the mezzanine renovation and expansion. O’Hare’s original design palette is black and white, and grays of all different shades. On the interior, we wanted to warm it up a bit and give it a hospitality feel, especially in the concession area.”
With this goal in mind, more than 4,100 square feet of Rockfon Intaline Round-Base 6-inch-deep metal baffles were installed, with a custom Oyster Metallic finish. Kolb continues: “The entire design works together within the existing space-from the linear graphic to the lines of the soffit to the lighting to the flooring pattern. There’s sensitivity in the coordination. It works as both standalone elements and as a total package.”
Beyond the aesthetic requirements, the ceiling system needed to meet non-standard shapes of the ceiling itself. Influenced by the floor pattern and the millwork of the terminal, any ceiling system installed would have to be able to cover long runs, as well as unique shapes and curves. To meet this need, the Rockfon Intaline baffles were assembled in 4-by-4-foot modules attached to 15/16-inch ceiling suspension, which ensures module alignment, accepts lighting and air diffusers, and provides a continuous linear appearance.
Surrounding the concession area’s ceiling baffles and for the TSA Checkpoint, the designers sought to create the perception of a high ceiling and the functional ease of access to the HVAC, security and other systems above. To do this, 1,200 square feet of Rockfon Magna T-Cell ceiling systems and 300 linear feet of Paired Infinity engineered perimeter trim were installed.
Magna T-Cell’s U-shaped blades were assembled into 6-by-6-inch cells to form 2-by-4-foot panels, which were installed into 9/16-inch ceiling suspension. The suspension and panels blend together to provide the desired appearance of an open cell ceiling. Enhancing the illusion of height, the panels were painted black and matched with black perimeter trim.
The Paired Infinity perimeter trim also was helpful in supporting the designers’ vision for quality ceiling accents. Infinity perimeter trim was paired together, back-to-back, for visual details including arcs and curves. Paired Infinity provides attractive, smooth, rust- and distortion-free design accents.
Contributing to both low-maintenance and environmental benefits, the metal on Rockfon Intaline baffles, Magna T-Cell and Paired Infinity trim contains no organic compounds that would support mold and microbial growth. Supporting sustainable initiatives, Rockfon Intaline baffles and Magna T-Cell systems contain 100 percent recycled aluminum content and at the end of the ceiling system’s useful life, it is 100 percent locally recyclable.
Epstein’s designers incorporated other environmentally responsible design solutions, with respect to the Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM). The SAM draws largely from the U.S. Green Building Council‘s 2009 LEED Rating Systems. For O’Hare Terminal 5, this includes taking advantage of existing daylight, requiring energy-efficient lighting systems, and procuring building materials of regional origin, reusable resources and recycled content.
Terminal 5 remained in operation throughout the construction. The joint-venture general contracting team of James McHugh Construction Co., Chicago, and Ornelas Construction Co., New Lenox, Ill., minimized disruptions with a carefully choreographed building sequence. ROCKFON’s distributor,
Reinke Supply Cos., Chicago, supported this with phased material deliveries.
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Pat Wallis is the specialty metal panels product manager at ROCKFON LLC, Chicago. To learn more, visit www.rockfon.com.