MODERNIZED TOM BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT LAX ACHIEVES LEED SILVER CERTIFICATION
(Los Angeles, California – May 26, 2010) The recently completed $737-million renovation of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has achieved LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Building) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council – the first-ever for a renovation project at a U.S. airport. It is also the first at LAX to incorporate LEED standards.
The Silver certification recognizes the project’s efforts at maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. Of note, the renovation achieved 20 percent energy savings and 24 percent water conservation with hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual savings expected in the future. For electricity use alone, reductions are expected to be 5,381,903 kilowatt hours for annual savings of $570,872. In addition, more than 75 percent of construction and demolition waste was recycled or salvaged. Other ”green” measures include:
- Efficient lighting fixtures and controls with occupancy sensors throughout the terminal to reduce lighting and save energy during off-peak hours
- Upgraded controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning that reset temperatures to maximize efficiency without sacrificing occupant comfort
- More than 20 percent of the interior finishes included materials with recycled content
- Low-emitting paints, adhesives, carpets and sealants used in the building interior
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures in restrooms
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said, “The LEED Silver certification reflects our commitment to contributing to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s vision to making Los Angeles ‘the cleanest big city in America’ and in keeping with a sustainable ‘green’ building policy adopted by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners in 2008 that commits LAWA to incorporate LEED standards in all future construction projects at LAX and LAWA’s other Southern California airports, LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation.”
She added, “LAX is the U.S. West Coast’s premier international gateway – especially to Asia-Pacific, the fastest growing commercial aviation region in the world. We greatly appreciate the Mayor’s support to LAWA in reaching today’s milestone. Major renovations to the Tom Bradley International Terminal greatly improve passenger comfort, convenience and safety and will help LAX retain its global competitiveness and its role as the cornerstone of Southern California’s air transportation system. The significant environmental measures included in the project continue to evolve LAX towards being the greenest airport in the world.”
Refurbishment of TBIT includes major interior renovations to the airline check-in and passenger arrival (meet-and-greet) lobbies; boarding gates (including two gates to accommodate new larger aircraft); customs and immigration arrivals hall with larger, high-capacity baggage carousels; arrivals corridors; in-line-baggage screening system; and public art displays. Along with a more contemporary look, the project also incorporated improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities; upgraded utilities, energy-efficient lighting, and fire-and-life-safety systems; restrooms; elevators and escalators; climate control/ventilation systems; new paging system and clearer signage (including dynamic video panels and digital signage that automatically updates flight information). The project also included new Information Technology components to support the upgrades and promote better passenger flow.
Approximately 60 percent of TBIT’s one-million-square-foot interior was renovated and 45,000-square-feet of new space was added to house the in-line baggage screening facility.
Construction ws completed by Clark/McCarthy Joint Venture, comprised of Clark Construction Group based in Bethesda, MD, and McCarthy Building Companies of St. Louis, MO. Architectural and engineering design was provided by Leo A Daly of Los Angeles.
LAWA developed a Sustainability Plan and a detailed guidance document, “Sustainable Airport Planning, Design and Construction Guidelines,” to be used on all airport projects (including projects where LEED standards would not apply). The guidelines go beyond just “green,” ensuring sustainable projects that focus on economic and social concerns, in addition to environmental impacts. The guidelines encompass performance standards for each phase of a project. These standards include planning and construction, as well as bid documents, design specifications, and construction contracts. The designs also take into account environmental aspects, such as site protection/restoration and wildlife management.
The LEED-certification rating system was created to guide development of high-performance, health-promoting, durable, affordable and environmentally sound buildings. LEED ratings are used to certify a building as “green,” based upon its design, construction and renovation.
LAX is the third busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth in the world, offering more than 565 daily flights to 81 destinations in the U.S. and more than 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 65 international destinations on more than 75 carriers. LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a department of the City of Los Angeles.
