Studio ORD, headed by Jeanne Gang (Studio Gang), in collaboration with the firms Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), Corgan, Milhouse Engineering and Construction, and STL Architects, has won the competition to replace Chicago’s O’Hare Global Terminal, aka Terminal 2, which has become obsolete. Winning over four other finalists – including Santiago Calatrava, Foster + Partners, and SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) – the project combines a rhythm of wood-clad steel beams, which filter incoming natural light, with Y-shaped columns set more than 30 meters apart. Travelers are welcomed by a six-pointed skylight, in reference to the starts of the Chicago flag.

With an investment of 8.5 billion dollars, the expansion plan – called O’Hare21 – will increase the airport’s capacity by 25%, modernize the existing terminals, and improve the arriving and departing experience of passengers.