The Terminal E at Logan International Airport by luis vidal + architects worked alongside AECOM entailed sweeping renovations to the international departures hall as well as to the immigration and customs areas, adding a sky-lit ceiling that maximizes natural light while reducing energy consumption. Intuitive wayfinding, spatial clarity, and a masterful use of color transform the experience for those leaving or entering the country through Logan.
“Boston is one of the most elegant and welcoming cities in the world,” said Luis Vidal, president and founding partner of luis vidal + architects. “It was important to our entire design team that these words become part of the DNA of Logan’s new Terminal E. The result is a bold, striking building designed with sustainable principles and focused on providing a unique, comfortable, and healthy environment for passengers and workers alike.”
luis vidal + architects served as the vision architect and AECOM served as the prime consultant and architect, delivering full architectural and engineering services. Suffolk provided preconstruction and construction management services.
The new terminal adds to the architectural history of the airport including a now-demolished design from Minoru Yamasaki and SOM’s more recent four-gate expansion of Terminal E from 2018. Echoing Vidal’s piece, President Biden told reporters it would be a “modern terminal worthy of America’s city on the hill” while visiting the construction site last September.
For the terminal’s finish, Vidal traveled to Switzerland to access the labs at Monopol Colors. It was there that he says he pursued a patent for ‘Boston Red’ that was born out of the unique brick buildings and cultural identity of the city. The color morphs with the sun's incidence to provide a welcoming touch of tonality that evokes campus, the Back Bay, summer baseball games and leaves changing in the fall.
“Boston Red goes from orange to burgundy to red. It’s very much linked to the roots of Boston because most of Boston’s symbols are red, and the shading is also emulating the striking sunsets, which are visible from the terminal. No one else can use it. It’s specific to Boston Logan.” Luis Vidal explained in an earlier interview to local media.
Sustainability initiatives include the incorporation of recycled materials, solar energy, electrification stations, electrochromic and photovoltaic glass, super insulation, and advanced interior and exterior building systems to minimize its carbon footprint. The terminal is seeking LEED Gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council.
