Indianapolis International Airport Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal

Airports built before contemporary security requirements often struggle to provide clear, comfortable journeys through aging infrastructure. As master architect and terminal designer, HOK reimagined the Indianapolis International Airport’s Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal as a cohesive campus. The design creates an intuitive, light-filled environment that supports efficient movement from curb to gate.

Design Solutions

The 40-gate terminal is organized around a central civic hall that brings together retail, dining, artwork and social activities in one clear space. With direct circulation and 35-foot ceilings, the hall helps travelers quickly understand where to go while offering places to pause. A 200-foot-diameter hyperbolic glass and steel skylight and five-story window wall fill the hall with daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and providing views toward downtown Indianapolis.

Beyond the civic hall, the building’s form guides the passenger journey. A sweeping roof traces the route from landside to airside, moving travelers through the terminal with minimal reliance on signage. Expansive glass walls in the ticketing hall, civic hall and concourses draw daylight deep into the building and reinforce intuitive wayfinding.

High-performance systems support comfort and operational efficiency. The roof’s overhang shades the curtain wall, reducing solar heat gain while maintaining open views and a strong connection to the surrounding city. The combination of skylight, roof form and curtain wall allows the departure level to operate primarily with daylight, lowering energy use. Radiant floors paired with stratified ventilation heat or cool occupied zones only, improving thermal comfort for travelers and staff while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Impact

The Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal was the first post-9/11 greenfield airport terminal constructed in the United States. It establishes a clear and cohesive traveler experience, improving wayfinding, comfort and operational performance.

Indianapolis International Airport was the world’s first complete aviation campus to earn LEED certification.

The airport has received multiple honors for its excellent customer experience from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, as well as repeated recognition from Airports Council International as best airport in North America.

The airport generates an estimated $7.5 billion in annual economic impact for Indiana without relying on state or local tax support.