Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Canopy and Modernization Program

Millions of travelers arriving at the nation’s busiest airport faced exposure to weather extremes, multiple lanes of traffic to cross at curbside areas and aging concrete terminal facades. As part of a 20-year expansion and modernization program, the project aimed to create a protected, welcoming entry experience that would serve as a civic landmark while improving terminal operations.

Design Solutions

Our design introduced two soaring structural steel canopies with translucent ETFE fabric panels, each measuring 864 feet by 200 feet and covering eight traffic lanes at the terminal curbside. The inflated ETFE pillows create a thermal barrier that reduces solar heat gain by at least 50% while weighing half as much as traditional glazing. This lightweight system enabled an ultra-efficient structural solution that reduced embodied carbon by over 50% compared to new construction.

To minimize operational disruptions, the canopy’s steel trusses were fabricated out of state and transported by wide-load tractor trailers in five modular pieces. Construction crews assembled the pieces in three sections, with each section lifted into place during overnight closures across three nights.

The canopies incorporate more than 3,400 programmable LED light fixtures in each structure, creating an illuminated display system that serves as both a wayfinding and civic storytelling device. The lighting transforms the twin structures at night through colors and patterns visible from both air and land approaches. In 2025, these displays were designated as the official “centennial centerpiece” for the airport’s 100th-anniversary celebrations.

Below the canopies, elevated pedestrian walkways now connect the terminal directly to adjacent parking garages, eliminating the need for travelers to cross active traffic lanes and improving vehicular flow.

The modernization refreshed the existing precast concrete façade with new metal panels, storefront clerestories and glazing that increase daylight within the terminal. HOK’s architects and engineers developed a parametric modeling tool called HOK STREAM to accelerate design decisions. The tool allowed the team to evaluate over 500 design options in just three weeks—a task that traditionally requires months.

Impact

The canopies provide weather protection for travelers, the roadway and the building facade while establishing architectural landmarks for Atlanta.

“Passengers enjoy protection from the elements and comment daily on the beauty of the structure,” said John Selden, former general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “These canopies will truly become iconic architectural landmarks for the city of Atlanta.”

The project has earned extensive recognition including the NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award, the ENR Southeast Best Projects – Airport award, the AISC IDEAS² Award, the AIA Georgia Design Award for Renovation/Restoration/Adaptive Reuse, the AIA ASPIRE Design Award, and the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence.

The HJ+P joint venture team, which includes Stanley, Love-Stanley, P.C., and Chasm Architecture, L.L.C., received a Soar Award in the ATLNext Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Legacy Awards for extensive engagement of small, minority and women-owned firms. Continuing this legacy of service excellence, the airport received the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for “Best Airport Over 40 Million Passengers in North America.”