62 TERMINALS July | August 2026 AirportImprovement.com ORF necessary to make sure we’re keeping our costs low and getting delivery of the design that we want.” Another compelling factor was the potential for lower costs, chiefly because the construction manager (W.M. Jordan Company for the Concourse A expansion and new FIS facility) established a guaranteed maximum price and was responsible for any costs over and above it. To date, Perryman estimates that using the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method resulted in about 10% savings on both projects. The new $31 million FIS building opened this March. The two-story, 26,000-square-foot structure located at the end of Concourse A near the Departures Terminal replaces an outmoded, 25-year-old facility about half its size. The previous facility required passengers to go from the concourse level to the lower ramp level to be processed before proceeding back upstairs to board other flights or exit the airport. Now, passengers entering the FIS facility stay on the same level to board or exit, thus boosting efficiency. The airport plans to use the previous FIS space for offices and storage. The $30 million Concourse A expansion, built on the opposite end from the new FIS facility, opened this April. Notably, it added three aircraft positions used by American—the first new gates at ORF in 50 years. The two-story, 19,000-square-foot space also includes a larger seating area, new restrooms, a central bar, two grab-and-go food concessions and a pet relief area. Design Highlights The airport worked closely with architectural firm Gresham Smith on the design of the FIS facility and Concourse A expansion. The shared goal was to create sleek, modern spaces that help foster a fresh identity for the changing airport yet still blend with its existing spaces. “This language would ultimately extend seamlessly to all other future airport projects,” says Luca Carraro, the firm’s Market Design leader. “It was really important for the client to open the buildings to sweeping views of the airfield,” he adds, noting that both the FIS facility and Concourse A expansion maximize glass openings. In the latter, designers took this to the limit by creating a pavilion- like building, with perimeter glass on all sides. “When you are in the space, you’re surrounded on all sides by glazing, which gives passengers and staff direct connections to the exterior of the building,” says Krystal Anderson, senior aviation architect with Gresham Smith. Views include aircraft on the runway, expansive skies and the Norfolk Botanical Garden, located just northwest of ORF. “Large areas of glass also mean natural light is the protagonist,” says Carraro. “The quality of the light changes with time and the passing of seasons.” Another overriding intention was to alleviate some of the inherent stresses of travel by creating a comfortable environment for passengers with airy spaces. KRYSTAL ANDERSON LUCA CARRARO PHOTO: ORF A new Federal Inspection Services facility is helping streamline international arrivals. The Concourse A expansion spanned 19,000 square feet and added three gates.
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