Building concourse D at chicago’s o’hare airport by SOM
The City of Chicago announces the start of the construction on the SOM-designed Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The project, which was first proposed in 2019, represents the first building in the ORDNext expansion program, as part of the airport’s Terminal Area Plan, with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill leading the design team alongside Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects, and Arup. The facility is expected to function as one of the country’s first domestic-international codeshare concourses, and at the time of publishing, the construction completion is scheduled for late 2028.
The design centers around a multi-level space with an oculus that brings daylight to lower floors. This central area serves as the primary arrival point for passengers from the Concourse C bridge and the underground tunnel to the future O’Hare Global Terminal. The floor’s layout uses curved lines inspired by oxbow bends in Midwestern rivers, and these curves define zones for rest, dining, retail, and play areas. Landscaped sections organize the space into distinct amenity zones using colors, textures, and plantings from Midwestern landscapes.
all images courtesy of SOM
Reimagining the Passenger Experience at O’Hare
As a major step in the ambitious O’Hare 21 capital program, the new Concourse D is designed to welcome and serve more than 80 million passengers each year. New renderings offer a first glimpse into the architectural vision for the concourse’s dynamic, passenger-centric public spaces, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), a global practice of architects, designers, engineers, and planners, founded in Chicago in 1936.
‘Our vision for the new Concourse D considers the entire passenger journey from curb to gate,’ says SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan. ‘From skylit spaces to orchard-inspired columns, every element contributes to a bright, easy-to-navigate environment designed to elevate the travel experience and leave a lasting impression of O’Hare.’
architectural rendering of the Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport
A Design Inspired by Nature and an Authentic Sense of Place
At the heart of the concourse is a multi-level space with an oculus that brings daylight to the lower floors. This central area serves as the primary arrival point for passengers from the Concourse C bridge and the underground tunnel to the future O’Hare Global Terminal, orienting them as they enter. The floor plan is shaped by soft, curved lines inspired by the oxbow bends of Midwestern rivers, which define zones for rest, dining, retail, and play. Landscaped areas further organize the space into distinct amenity zones, using a palette of colors, textures, and plantings drawn from the native landscapes of the Midwest. An airline club lounge on the upper floor offers elevated views of the gates.
The concourse’s design integrates a structural system that minimizes vertical supports, utilizing branching columns inspired by the orchards that once gave the airport its name. This design improves sightlines and opens up views across the concourse. The roof’s contours and overhangs are tuned to the Midwest climate to help regulate temperature, while the minimized structure reduces embodied carbon. At the southern end of the concourse, a bright, open area with a double-height glazed wall offers expansive views of the airfield and the Chicago skyline. This space, flanked by six gate lounges, is envisioned as a calm, light-filled retreat with varied seating options, including larger benches for groups, café-style tables for quick meals, and raised seating with counters for a comfortable workspace.
rendering showing the exterior of the Concourse D
designed to serve more than 80 million passengers each year
construction completion is scheduled for late 2028
project info:
name: Concurse D
leading design: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) | @skidmoreowingsmerrill
location: O’Hare International Airport, Chicago
cooperating architects: Ross Barney Architects | @r_barc, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects | @jgma_insta, and Arup | @arupgroup
construction completion: 2028
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