Regionally-Aware Design Serving the largest research park in North America, RDU Terminal 2s innovative design reflects the impact of three forward-looking universities and numerous bioscience companies in the renowned Research Triangle Park RTP. Fentress Architects designed Terminal 2 with a thoughtful blending of the regions economy, heritage and landscape to create an airport unlike any other in the world. Evoking the hills of the Piedmont region are its rolling roofs, supported by wood trusses that honor the regions legacy of handcrafted furniture industries and wooded countryside. Referencing the RTPs cutting-edge research, terrazzo and carpet patterns represent high-tech biomedical imagery.
Public Art Playing on the theme handmade and mind-made, Terminal 2s extensive public art program showcases the regions strengths in high technology, medicine and education, as well as its vibrant fine arts and crafts heritage. Highlights include Ed Carpenters work, Triplet, in the central atrium, featuring a triangulated configuration of wood masts tipped with colored glass and LED lighting. Wingspun, by Ellen Driscoll, is an animated glass installation that extends 780 feet along the international arrivals corridor.
Elevating the Passenger Experience Unlike an exposed metal structure, Terminal 2s wood trusses humanize the space with a warm, personal feel that offers travelers a sense of comfort.
Meticulously detailed interiors are made alive by natural daylighting from clerestories and expansive glass curtainwalls. Often an afterthought, the restrooms at Terminal 2 set a new benchmark for restroom design. Comfortable, elongated stalls accommodate passengers increasing number of carry-on luggage with ease.
Airport of the Future Long-span wooden roof trusses create column-free spaces that offer world-class efficiency and adaptability, from ticketing to security. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as self-service kiosks, fully automated baggage screening and a common-use environment, Fentress design offers ultimate flexibility for airlines and passengers alike. As a result, the airport can more efficiently manage its resources and use of space, easing the need for future expansion.
Terminal 2 Data
Phase I II Grand Opening May 11, 2011
– 920,000 square feet
– 36 gates, including a south concourse
– 3 ticketing islands with 60 check-in counters
– 60 self-service, check-in kiosks
– 10 security checkpoint lane capacity
– 5 baggage claim carousels
– 39 shops and restaurants
– 60-foot-high central atrium
– 90-foot-long canopy protecting passengers along the walk to the parking garage
Total Cost: 570 million
Capacity: 11.4 million passengers annually
Boarding gates: 36