Aspen/Pitkin County Airport—long known as a gateway to the Aspen slopes—could soon join a growing list of airports embracing mass timber construction, as county commissioners advance plans to rebuild the terminal. It comes as Portland-based architecture firm ZGF—known for its work on Portland International Airport’s nine-acre mass timber terminal last year—has been appointed to lead the design. A separate firm will be selected to focus on the runway component of the project.
During an introductory meeting with Pitkin County commissioners this week, ZGF proposed mass timber as a potential structural material for the new terminal. The firm brings extensive experience in timber architecture, with projects completed in New York City, Boulder, Colorado, Barcelona, and elsewhere.
“This was one of the first modern mass timber structures using cross-laminated timber,” said Chris Chatto, ZGF’s sustainability design lead, referencing the Rocky Mountain Institute building in nearby Basalt. “And not only did it reduce the carbon emissions of the structure, but it creates a much more natural (feel).”
Wood Central understands that commissioners raised a range of questions during the meeting, including legal and logistical concerns, as well as funding challenges. One key issue was whether framing the project around sustainability might complicate federal grant applications under the new Trump administration.
“The people who are reading grants right now in D.C. aren’t particularly drawn to that kind of language (with a reference to sustainability), so I’m a little worried about the success of our grant applications,” said Commissioner Francie Jacober, who spoke to The Aspen Times yesterday.
Meanwhile, Paul Schwer, ZGF’s sustainable engineering lead, suggested reframing the project’s messaging to emphasise energy resilience. “The framing that we are starting to use is independence, right? Energy independence—a lot of people want that for your home, for your community. Why not?”
Public input will play a central role in shaping the final design. ZGF plans to host three community forums to gather feedback and develop multiple concepts. “So by the end of the year, … we’ll be trying to kind of corral into one main idea that we will then go ahead into schematic design to develop further,” said Tony Martinez, ZGF’s project manager.
- Visit Wood Central’s special feature to learn more about the Portland International Airport and why it is the world’s most famous timber project. To watch Wood Central’s interview with Mr Revay ahead of the Portland International Airport opening, click here.
