To save $30 million, LAX built its new concourse outside the airport

To save $30 million on a new concourse at Los Angeles International Airport, designers opted for an innovative offsite construction method. The Midfield Satellite Concourse South, built by Woods Bagot architecture firm, was designed as a modular, eight-gate addition to the international terminal. Rather than constructing the concourse on-site within the busy airport, the team opted for a "modular design that could be built in segments away from its final location."

By working with Los Angeles World Airports, the team established a construction space just outside the airport's northern runway, about 1.75 miles from the concourse's final installation point. This approach allowed for construction to proceed without interfering with the airport's flight schedule and bypassed numerous contracting and insurance requirements. Consequently, local builders were able to participate in the project, leading to more than 30% of the workforce being composed of local companies.

The concourse's design embraces Southern California's light by incorporating a brise-soleil shading system that minimizes solar exposure while providing floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding mountains. The eight segments of the concourse were designed to resemble living rooms, prioritizing comfort for travelers while minimizing material use.

The unique shape of the concourse also accommodates a potential future terminal building, with demountable seismic joints and coordinated utility infrastructure that allow for future disassembly and relocation if needed.