The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Designed by HOK (Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum), the project was guided by Massport's 2001 guidelines for sustainable construction. HOK, Delta and MassPort collaborated to create the first terminal to achieve LEED recognition, while also implementing new government-mandated security requirements that emerged from the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
To combat the accelerated heat island effect and stormwater runoff issues typically caused by impervious surfaces on runways, parking lots and large roofs areas, for example, Terminal A features a roofing membrane and paving designed to reflect heat from the building and special stormwater filtration devices to remove suspended solids and phosphorous.
Some of the project's other sustainable strategies include: water-efficient plumbing and irrigation; extensive daylighting and high-insulation glass; energy-efficient electric lighting; construction waste recycling; and the use of recycled, local materials.
HOK says 10 percent of all materials on the job came from recycled sources and 75 percent of construction waste was reused, recycled or otherwise diverted from area landfills.
Terminal A is comprised of two structures: a 362,000-square-foot main terminal and a 284,000-square-foot satellite concourse, connected by an underground pedestrian moving walkway.
"Our design objective was to exceed passenger expectations while creating a functionally efficient, state-of-the-art operating facility for Delta and all other carriers operating at Terminal A," says Ali R. Moghaddasi, Design Director of HOK's Aviation practice. "We want this terminal to be a memorable part of the passenger's travel experience."
Daylight is a primary focus of the terminal's design, striking a careful balance between the benefits of exterior light and undesirable glare. Special measures were taken to control construction contaminates from adversely affecting the indoor environment. Adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets were specified to have very limited or no volatile organic compounds.
The terminal also integrates the latest government-mandated screening systems, with 100 percent of outbound baggage screened and a single central passenger security checkpoint to reinforce clarity in passenger movement and to optimize security procedures.
