Origin | Renovation

Construction of the new terminal building began in 1951 with the driving of the first piles. By the following year, the reinforced concrete foundation had been poured, and the steel superstructure erected to define the exterior contours of a new airport designed to accommodate three million annual passengers.

 On August 27, 1954, San Francisco dedicated its new terminal building and hosted a three-day celebration attended by over five hundred thousand visitors. Forty-three airplanes were displayed on the airfield, and airlines conducted tours of their airliners. Annual passenger numbers for that year exceeded two and a half million.

The new terminal building featured a split roadway leading to a lower level for arrivals and an upper level lobby area for ticketing, check-in, and departures. The entryways at the lower level and the upper level were fitted with double-hung automatic doors. The hands-free mechanical door was a new invention at the time. 

Other terminal fixtures included coin-operated trip insurance vending machines. The paper coverage policy was cranked through a slot for the passenger with a copy retained in the machine. These were placed in the terminal lobby and along the walkways of the concourse connectors leading to the gate areas. 

Past security, ample seating is provided in the “Recompose” area for passengers to regroup, refresh, and redirect before journeying on to the concourse and departures lounge. Multiple activity choices create a neighborhood feeling with options for relaxing, working, dining, and even playing. 

The layout and furnishings in the departures lounge emphasize the comfort of spaces conceived to suit passenger needs. Seating areas create relaxing, inviting, and informal settings. Lounge chairs in organic shapes set the tone. The high-back chair provides a sense of privacy even in a public space.

Using the sky as both an artistic metaphor and a source of natural light throughout the terminal supports the Comfort and Control principle. While serving the goal of sustainability it thematically unifies the public spaces climaxing with the vaulted ceiling of the passenger lounge.

Seen from the airfield, the roofline of the departures lounge adds a distinct new signature look to Terminal 2. With fourteen gate positions for aircraft radiating from the concourse and departures lounge, access for enplaning and deplaning passengers has been maximized for ease and convenience.