For most travelers, the airport is a point of destination. However, for those in the AV industry, it serves as a testament to the seamless integration of AV technology and engineering. And Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX), owned and operated by the Port of Portland, happens to be one such airport.
In August 2024, PDX got a facelift — termed the “PDX Next” initiative — where the Port of Portland upgraded its airline check-in areas and streamlined the security process. It also launched a new public space with stadium seating and a mezzanine restaurant, along with a growing roster of local shops and restaurants. Besides this, the new terminal features high wooden ceilings, abundant daylight and dozens of trees to reflect the state’s outdoor ethos.
To learn more about the new terminal, CI+SSI sat down with Ryan Lalum, senior associate of PAE Engineers (PAE) and Andy Guthrie, associate of acoustics and audiovisual at Arup, the engineering and design team that worked on the project.
Together, they elaborate on the innovative solutions employed for streamlining airport operations and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
A Collaborative Experience
According to Lalum, the proactive, upfront coordination between the architect (ZGF), the owner (Port of Portland), the contractor (HSJV) and the design engineering team (PAE and Arup) made the seamless installation possible.
“This cohesive collaboration among key stakeholders was instrumental in delivering an efficient and well-executed outcome,” he says. “PAE and Arup worked closely with the Port of Portland to develop a clear understanding of existing systems, allowing for smooth integration into the overall infrastructure.”
Working with Renkus-Heinz
For Lalum, a critical aspect of the partnership was selecting an audio manufacturer whose products could meet the demands of the unique environment. He explains, “[We] selected Renkus-Heinz as the preferred audio-reinforcement manufacturer due to their demonstrated reliability and consistent beamforming audio coverage, all while maintaining a minimal product footprint.”
Lalum reveals that PAE and Arup selected Renkus-Heinz’s Iconyx Compact Series ICC12/3 loudspeakers, as the beam-steering arrays provide a large coverage area while also maintaining a tight dispersion. Moreover, the speakers feature Dante Connectivity that simplifies integration with the airport’s digital infrastructure, enabling individually addressable speakers and streamlined maintenance.
PAE, Arup and Renkus-Heinz then leveraged Arup’s SoundLab — a specially-designed room with neutral acoustics and a spatial-audio system for stakeholders to experience the acoustics of a current or future design. Together, they developed a public address system that still made announcements intelligible to passengers without jarring noise levels.
“By leveraging Arup’s SoundLab, we were able to provide the Port of Portland and ZGF Architects with an immersive experience of what these acoustic designs would sound like, ultimately allowing us to move forward with the best acoustic design decisions for this space,” states Guthrie.
Building the Integrated Technology Poles
In addition to the Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers, the Integrated Technology Poles incorporate fire alarm coverage, cameras, lighting, Wi-Fi access points and more. Photo courtesy of Renkus-Heinz.
Another impressive innovation, from Lalum’s perspective, was the development of Integrated Technology Poles (ITPs). The poles, custom designed for the project, are modular structures housing multiple technologies. In addition to the Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers, the poles incorporate fire-alarm coverage, cameras, lighting, Wi-Fi access points and more. Each pole was manufactured from 100% metal and designed to be rotatable for precise alignment.
Lalum states that the ITPs emerged out of pure necessity given the open high ceilings and limited wall real estate. He adds that the team prefabricated the poles off-site and delivered them fully assembled to the airport.
“The ITPs were engineered with a modular design to support long-term adaptability,” he elaborates. “Each segment features rotational functionality, allowing precise alignment to meet the coverage needs of diverse technologies.”
Additionally, prior to installation, PAE and Arup conducted extensive testing, including a full-scale mock-up of the poles in an airplane hangar.
“The design team went through numerous design options before landing on this unique, one-of-a-kind solution,” Lalum adds. He states that the role of the ITPs is to enhance the passenger experience as well as ensure a safe environment.
Guthrie then reveals that they selected the Iconyx speakers specifically due to their ability to coordinate with other devices in the tech poles. Furthermore, the compact design meant that the diameter would be visually unobtrusive and fit with the architectural design.
As Lalum notes, “The Integrated Technology Poles are a perfect embodiment of the project’s ethos.…And the Renkus-Heinz speakers are a vital part of that success.”
Elevating the Visual Journey
Turning to the display technology, Lalum says that Planar played an integral role in the redesigned terminal. The manufacturer helped install twin 128-foot-long by 23-foot-high (78×14) Planar CarbonLight CLI Series LED videowalls above two security checkpoints. Lalum notes that the videowalls provide a vast digital canvas for generative art that brings Oregon scenery to life.
According to Planar, the upgraded PDX terminal also includes eight 83-foot-wide by three-foot-high Planar DirectLight Pro Series LED ribbon walls that are installed above the new airline ticket counters.
Emphasizing the stellar visuals, Lalum adds, “Planar’s outstanding collaboration and support throughout the design and construction process was key to the project’s success, resulting in one of the West Coast’s most iconic digital experiences.”
The new PDX terminal is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the owner, architect, contractor and engineer unite around a shared vision. Photo by Celeste Noche.
Emphasis on Sustainability
The transformation of the airport also focused on implementing sustainability in every aspect — right from architecture to engineering.
As Lalum explains, “Sustainability measures were considered for every step of the design process.” As an example, he points to a notable metric that the team analyzed: the energy consumption associated with different video display colors.
“To minimize overall energy use, we aimed to reduce white levels wherever feasible,” Lalum reveals.
Moreover, according to Guthrie, Arup helped the project get on track to earn a LEED Gold certification, a significant accomplishment for an airport project.
“Arup helped identify many key LEED strategies from energy efficiency to water conservation and sustainable materials,” says Guthrie.
Guthrie adds that the firm also conducted a whole-building lifecycle assessment to optimize the carbon footprint of construction materials from the wood roof to the concrete foundations and developed a custom screening program to review interior materials to avoid the presence of toxic compounds.
In doing so, they helped identify best-in-class options and worked with industry partners to advance healthy materials.
Additionally, Guthrie notes that Arup assisted in developing a highly efficient ground source heat pump that provides heating and cooling to the new terminal expansion, which allowed “…Port of Portland to add 30% to the terminal core floor area while keeping energy usage flat.”
What’s Next for PDX?
“The project has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from passengers, highlighting the effective deployment of the integrated technologies,” Lalum enthuses. He adds that following this success, Phase 2 is now in full swing and scheduled for completion in spring 2026.
“Phase 2 opens the north and south nodes and provides an even better passenger experience,” Lalum reveals.
Final Thoughts
For integrators looking to enhance transportation venues, Lalum advises that deployed technologies should complement architectural features while enhancing the passenger experience. “To ensure reliable performance, it’s essential to establish minimum coverage requirements early in the design process,” he explains. “Given the rapid pace of evolving technologies, planning must include both future upgrade capacity and maintenance accessibility.”
The impact of the PDX Next project is apparent when passengers enter the terminal. In fact, the airport was named as the #1 airport by The Washington Post in a recent article on the top 50 airports in the United States.
Reiterating the collaborative effort as the main reason for the project’s success, Lalum remarks, “It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when the owner, architect, contractor and engineer unite around a shared vision.”
