13 AirportImprovement.com July | August 2026 TERMINALS SAT architecture—a sustainable construction method that uses large, engineered wood panels to create multi-level structures that are strong, durable and fire resistant. Similarly, buildings throughout San Antonio include orange- colored limestone blocks that for centuries have been quarried and shaped by craftsmen whose predecessors emigrated to the region and settled in nearby towns. Designers also incorporated the distinctive orange-colored D’Hanis clay bricks into the facades of the airport. When mixed with yellow-colored limestone, the special bricks help create a stone facade that feels like it grew from the ground. San Antonio is also home to the oldest acequia (communal canal) in the United States. A new water feature at SAT will mimic canals that provided water to early settlers throughout the region. Mounted plaques will explain the acequia’s historical significance to visitors. Working on the Terminal A ground loading facility from the outset gave Lake Flato designers valuable opportunities to translate Terminal C’s planned warmth of the mass timber structure into the smaller site, even though its core structural elements are largely steel, Benjamin notes. “San Antonio’s values its old buildings and history, but that doesn’t prevent it from doing new or modern things,” Benjamin advises. “The design is rooted in San Antonio rich history but embodies the San Antonio of the future.” Adds Trupiano: “This is a huge shift from [the airport’s] existing facilities in the way that we leverage amenities for passengers and pave the way for people to curate their own experiences within the terminal. People are going to walk away from the terminal and feel like they were just in San Antonio.” An Airport for Everyone In addition to creating a strong sense of place, increasing sustainability and enhancing the overall customer experience, ensuring accessibility is a key guiding principle of the ELEVATE/ SAT program. The goal, O’Krongley explains, is to make air travel barrier-free for everyone. Designers held focus groups with dozens of individuals representing organizations such as Center for the Intrepid, a rehabilitation facility that treats amputees and burn victims, and Lighthouse for the Blind, which focuses on employment, support and training opportunities for visually impaired people. Groups representing neurodivergent communities also offered input. Ramps for FBO's and Executive Aviation PBB Belt Loaders Passenger Ramps for All Size of Aircraft Terminal Access Ramps PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA | 541.830.8678 | KCIGSE.COM | EST. 1992
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