Chicago O’Hare International Airport Terminal 5 Expansion

HOK and Muller & Muller, Ltd., along with the Chicago Department of Aviation, are leading the design of more than 300,000 square feet of new space in Terminal 5.

This is the terminal’s first major expansion since it opened in 1993 and will allow O’Hare to comfortably welcome an increasing number of travelers. It will increase the terminal’s capacity by 25 percent, adding new gates and upgrading existing gate sizes to accommodate the larger aircraft used for international flights.

The L-shaped addition incorporates nine new wide-body aircraft gates and relocates and reconfigures three existing gates. All the gates will accommodate next-generation aircraft and be easily convertible to narrow-body positions as the terminal is repurposed in the future.

A community gathering area at the corner of the L-shaped concourse functions as a town square and commercial space. There are an array of retail, food and beverage offerings. The gently raised ceiling creates a signature vaulted space that welcomes natural light and offers views across the airfield toward the Chicago skyline.

With sustainable design features including high-performance glass, a circadian lighting system and healthy, durable materials, the team is aiming for LEED Silver certification.

Opening up Terminal 5 to amenities provided in other areas of O’Hare, improving airline clubs, enhancing shopping and dining space, and designing a clear wayfinding system will create a more comfortable experience for passengers. The project also is adding four new security lanes to the checkpoint and improving immigration facilities. The 25-year-old baggage handling system will be fully modernized by 2022.