SFO T3 Construction Tour

Hamilton + Aitken Staff toured SFO’s Terminal 3 Boarding Area E project (BAE), led by Jay Wilson, the Construction Manager from Gensler. Hamilton + Aitken partnered with Gensler/ Hensel Phelps on the LEED GOLD, Design Build BAE project, and we were able to tour the construction site while a number of activities were going on.

All of the spaces were framed and finishes were being applied to the floor, walls, and ceilings, so we got a good idea of the look and feel of the finished space. The exterior curtain walls were also installed, and Hensel Phelps was beginning to install the fins at each mullion for daylighting control. The new skylights provide a generous amount of natural light to the center of the space.

We talked with Jay about the new fire suppression system and toured the HVAC system rooms to see the equipment for supply and return air, which were so large you could walk through them if there were no grills. We also saw a small portion of our T3 East Renovation project including the connector to BAE and the temporary tunnel that the public will pass through while work is being done on the surrounding areas. It was exciting to see the progress of our work.

Transbay Transit Center Tour

Hamilton + Aitken staff were able to get a backstage tour of the Transbay Transit Center, currently under construction. Tour-goers were impressed by the structural design as well as the geothermal system.  Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the new 5-story Transit Center features a Caltrain and California High Speed Rail terminal at the bottom, a shopping center level, a concourse level, a bus terminal level, and a 5.4 acre park on the roof.  According to the guide, Ned Kahn’s water jets at the park will correspond to the level of activity on the bus deck, so perhaps you will be able to tell whether your bus has arrived by the height of the water jet.