2023-06-29
29 Jun 23

Woods Bagot Revives LA Modern Architecture at LAX

Woods Bagot celebrates groundbreaking at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to inaugurate Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) South, an eight-gate, two-story, approximately 150,000-square-feet addition to LAX. The project is an extension of West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal and is part of the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)’s multi-billion-dollar transformation.

LAX’s MSC South Concourse features first-of-its-kind innovation with Offsite Construction and Relocation, a technique that enables flexible future usability. The concourse’s structure is grounded in sustainable practices and designed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

“This project will be an inspiring example of how innovation in construction can pave the way to more sustainable outcomes in our buildings. Constructing the nine gate segments near to the final site reduces waste, minimizes impact on airport operations, and allows for an accelerated project schedule,” says Woods Bagot Principal and West Coast design leader Matt Ducharme.

“We are proud that this construction methodology offers the flexibility for the project to adapt to new uses if required in the future, providing circularity and a reduced impact on our environment.”

MSC South thematically blends indoors and outdoors through a design that celebrates Southern California’s quality of light. The exterior facade features an integral performance-driven angled brise soleil that reduces glare and solar radiation while maximizing outdoor views. Passengers can enjoy a sense of domestic comfort complemented by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that accentuate exterior views.

MSC South’s layout also draws inspiration from the emblematic architecture of modernist Case Study Houses.

“Woods Bagot is known for designing award-winning, sustainable airport projects that create passenger experiences deeply rooted in a sense of place,” notes Ducharme.

“Drawing inspiration from California Modernism, the design for LAX’s MSC South captures a feeling of ease, simple but functional design, and timeless beauty,” he adds. “A great example of this is realized in the concourse’s exterior brise soleil system that links to the building’s interior ceiling, creating a strong sense of place and indoor-to-outdoor connection for guests.”

LAX’s MSC South render.

“Drawing inspiration from California Modernism, the design for LAX’s MSC South captures a feeling of ease, simple but functional design, and timeless beauty.”

Woods Bagot Principal and design leader Matt Ducharme

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