40 TERMINALS November | December 2026 AirportImprovement.com LBF “[It uses] the earth’s relatively constant temperature to help cool the building in the summer and heat it in the winter, reducing overall energy consumption,” Hanson notes. The geothermal system contributes to an overall reduction in energy use by as much as 53% vs. other means, he adds. There’s also a nearly 6,000-gallon system that captures stormwater so it can be repurposed for non-potable uses such as landscaping and toilet water. Electric vehicle charging stations in the parking area further boost the project’s sustainability. Structural elements were also carefully selected. The airport’s location on the Great Plains makes it susceptible to high winds, and potentially wildfires during serious droughts. To address those concerns, designers specified mass timber beams with wind and fire resistance that exceed those of steel frameworks. The terminal’s structural system is comprised of Douglas fir “glulam”—short for glued laminated timber—that was fabricated from sustainably sourced timber and imported in single pieces from a mill in Portland. Some boards were 4-feet-tall and 16-inches thick, with the longest beam measuring more than 60 feet from end to end. Hanson says the timber structure’s complex geometry made it tricky to install, but precision cuts and standardized connections allowed for a sound roof with a look that mesmerizes those who stand underneath it. Gosnell agrees: “The mass timber construction is amazing and beautifully highlights the sandhills we have here.” Beyond helping secure FAA funds, these design choices are expected to earn the project Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification. The airport’s application was pending review when the new terminal opened. Things Are Looking Up Sampson Construction Co, the Nebraska- based company that served as general contractor for the terminal project, leveraged its experience in the health care industry when working at LBF. “[In hospitals and medical facilities] you’re working around patients in an occupied space,” explains Sampson Project Manager Mark Elgert. “Even though [the airport terminal] was a greenfield site, we had that same mentality of keeping pedestrians safe on our jobsite.” The contractor has completed six projects on active airports with one more under construction. Fixed-base operator Trego Dugan Aviation remained open on the ramp adjacent to Sampson’s jobsite; airfield fencing was relocated and replaced with temporary barriers to facilitate the work without affecting customers. Some Sampson personnel obtained badges to escort workers on and off secured portions of the airfield during their shifts. At peak construction, the project team included 45 subcontractors and 70 to 80 onsite workers. Sampson worked closely with designers at HDR to ensure all building components worked together as intended, Elgert adds. That wasn’t always easy. The mass timber, for example, arrived in huge pieces that could not be altered onsite. And in some locations, the gaps between the wood and adjacent masonry were as small as 1/16 of an inch. “There wasn’t any room for error. We had to be true, plumb and level,” Elgert emphasizes. “It went together like a big LEGO set, which was really cool to see.” Another signature design element is a 3,700-square-foot skylight that divides the building from front to back, with the TSA checkpoint directly underneath. Its photovoltaic glass was manufactured in Spain by Onyx Solar and installed by Glass Edge, a firm based in Lincoln, NE. Lengthy, unpredictable transit times for European parts made scheduling installation a challenge, but the finished product is the largest skylight Elgert has seen in the state. From the timber to the burnished block to the complex glazing, he doesn’t expect to lead another project like it again for the rest of his career. And he looks forward to reflecting on his role in developing a terminal that Nebraskans will use and treasure for years to come. “Pictures truly don’t do it justice,” he says. “It’s a unique building. You could rent it out for a wedding reception; it looks that great.” MARK ELGERT More holdroom seating, a skylight and views of the ramp have been well- received by passengers.
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