The City of Chicago starts construction of the SOM-led design of the first building in the airport’s most ambitious expansion and unveils new images of the Concourse, including light-filled gathering spaces. Both, the city and Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) broke ground on Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in collaboration with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, the first new building in O’Hare’s transformative ORDNext expansion has been underway since the team was selected in 2019 through an international design competition.
 

“By breaking ground on Concourse D, we are taking a critical first step toward enhancing how the airport welcomes and serves more than 80 million passengers each year,” said Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). “We are also proud to introduce ORDNext, a new stage of development in the O’Hare 21 capital program that will elevate the passenger experience, improve connections between domestic and international flights, and increase the airport's footprint to accommodate future growth.”

 

Aerial view of Concourse D and Concourse E © City of Chicago

Concourse D marks the first new building in ORDNext, the centerpiece of the airport’s Terminal Area Plan that will construct two new concourses, a new global terminal, and a tunnel connecting the facilities. This $1.3 billion Concourse D represents the first major milestone of the program, reimagining the passenger experience from curbside arrival to aircraft gate. It will be one of the country's first domestic-international codeshare concourses, built to accommodate a wide range of aircraft types and improve operational flow for passengers landing or laying over in Chicago. New renderings reveal the architectural vision for the concourse’s signature public spaces, offering a first glimpse into their dynamic, passenger-centric design.
 

"Our vision for the new Concourse D considers the entire passenger journey from curb to gate,” said SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan. “From skylit spaces to orchard-inspired columns, every element contributes to a bright, easy-to-navigate environment designed to elevate the travel experience and leave a lasting impression of O’Hare."

 

 

At the center of the concourse is a multi-level space marked by an oculus that directs daylight into the levels below. As the primary arrival point for passengers entering from the Concourse C bridge or a new underground tunnel linking to the upcoming O’Hare Global Terminal, this node serves as a welcoming threshold to the concourse experience, helping orient travelers to their destinations. The layout is shaped by soft, curved lines inspired by the oxbow bends of Midwestern rivers, defining zones for rest, dining, retail, and play. Landscaped areas further organize the space into distinct amenity zones, using a palette of colors, textures, and plantings drawn from the native beauty of Midwestern landscapes. An airline club lounge positioned on the upper floor offers elevated views of the connecting gates.
 

The concourse integrates a structural system that minimizes vertical supports, with branching columns inspired by the orchards that once gave the airport its name. The design improves sightlines and opens up views across the concourse. Tuned to the Midwest climate, the roof’s contours and overhangs help regulate temperature, while the minimized structure reduces embodied carbon.
 

At the southern terminus of the concourse, a bright, open area framed by a double-height glazed wall offers expansive views across the airfield and toward the distant Chicago skyline. Conceived as a calm, light-filled retreat, the space is flanked by six gate lounges and includes two concession zones—one at its center and another at the far end—giving passengers options to unwind, socialize, or focus before boarding. Among large planted areas, varied seating with integrated charging stations provides a range of settings: larger benches accommodate groups, café-style tables invite travelers to enjoy coffee or a quick meal, and raised seating with counters offering a comfortable workspace.

 

Concourse D is being delivered through a close partnership between the SOM-led design team, the City of Chicago, and the construction manager at risk, AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, appointed in 2024. That collaboration has kept the project on schedule and within budget, with completion expected in late 2028. Planning work is also underway for Concourse E, the second satellite facility designed by the same team. That 464,000-square-foot concourse will include 24 new gates and is expected to open in phases beginning in 2029.
 

"Ross Barney Architects is proud to collaborate with SOM, JGMA, and Arup on the groundbreaking design of the new Concourse D and E at O’Hare International Airport," said Founder and Design Principal of Ross Barney Architects, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA. "We champion the transformative power of thoughtfully designed public spaces—especially within the vibrant hub of an international gateway like O’Hare. We look forward to travelers engaging with and being inspired by these dynamic, welcoming new environments."
 

“We are honored to join the legacy of visionary architects who have helped shape O’Hare by enriching the passenger experience with a design that is bold, inclusive, and authentically Chicago,” said President of JGMA, Juan Gabriel Moreno.

"This milestone marks a significant step in the future of O’Hare, exemplifying a shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience at one of the nation’s busiest airports," said Principal and Project Director at Arup, Cierine Nicolas. "As a key partner in the design team, Arup provided multidisciplinary engineering and consulting services to help realize a transformative project for the City of Chicago."

 

About Ross Barney Architects
Ross Barney Architects is a renowned architecture, interior, urban design, and landscape architecture firm led by Carol Ross Barney, the recipient of the 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal. The studio is known for its innovative and environmentally responsible designs that focus on the user experience and have become landmarks in their communities. Ross Barney Architects firmly believe that exceptional spaces should be accessible to all members of society, not just a privileged few. Their ideas and projects have garnered global recognition and received over 200 prestigious awards, including the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award and Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies. This recognition reflects the firm's dedication to community, environment, innovation, and design excellence over more than four decades.
 

About Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects
JGMA is a progressive architecture and design practice committed to active community involvement and the enrichment of peoples’ lives through the attentive and dynamic organization of space and materiality. We understand that quality design has a unique ability to influence civic life and transform communities. With offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, JGMA is one of the largest Latino-owned architecture firms in the Midwest. Our diverse award-winning team represents a collaboration of experienced architectural professionals with a vast portfolio of public and private work. This portfolio includes the successful completion of projects at all scales and complexities around the world. To learn more or to collaborate with JGMA please visit JGMA.com
 

About Arup
Arup is a global built environment consultancy with technical and advisory expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We advise on, plan, and design the future of the built environment. Arup in the United States of America has a diverse staff of over 2,000 people across 12 offices. Since establishing our first US office in 1985, Arup’s presence has since grown to include a portfolio of projects across diverse industries and regions. Our engineers, consultants, designers, and planners are dedicated to offering multidisciplinary services to shape a more resilient, equitable built environment.
 

Release Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois, USA