For people and their planet.
It has been our mission to build new spaces that are efficient, long lasting and environmentally responsible. Not only are we working on things such as green construction, planet-friendly products and overall carbon emission reduction, but also the sustainability of the space as a whole, and its ability to serve the community for many years to come.
Enhancing our success:
Gerald R. Ford International Airport is consistently recognized as one of the best airports in North America and deeply values its place in this community, with the health and safety of those who use the airport paramount to our service priority.
With the expansion of Concourse A, the building performance of the Airport targeted and met a 70% energy reduction goal. This will ensure energy and economic savings to the airport for years to come.
Airing out the details:
We focused on enhancing passenger comfort by using distribution air to supply conditioned air near the floor throughout the building and using the air’s natural buoyancy to minimize the use of fans. Additionally, the north-facing glass brings light to the center of the concourse, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
A radiant hydronic floor system will deliver heat around the perimeter of the building where our hold rooms are located during the coldest months of the year optimizing the building’s performance for a cold climate.
Measured performance:
A new central utility plant will be constructed to serve the Airport and any additional spaces, equipping us to better measure the energy efficiency gains and savings from a central location.
Water and heating:
The Terminal Enhancement Project (TEP) and Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC) feature new plumbing fixtures designed to reduce both water usage and energy consumption. The TEP will utilize high-efficiency boilers (over 90% efficient) to supply heating throughout most of the facility, while the CONRAC will reclaim and reuse 90% of the water used in its car wash operations.
Air flow and ventilation:
The TEP and CONRAC utilize variable-speed fans and pumps that efficiently regulate flow to provide heating and cooling based on demand. The TEP also features an air-to-air energy recovery unit that captures heat (BTUs) from exhaust air to precondition incoming fresh air, enhancing overall energy efficiency. Additionally, the Baggage Makeup Area includes demand-controlled ventilation with real-time contaminant sensing to optimize fresh air delivery.
Individual Carrier System (ICS):
The ICS is designed for a minimum 20-year lifespan and operates with less than half the constructional footprint and energy use of a conventional system. Its annual environmental impact is also reduced by 70%.
New three-story quick turnaround facility dedicated to rental car operations:
The CONRAC’s quick turn-around (QTA) operation will reduce vehicle miles traveled by three miles per vehicle, totaling approximately 600,000 fewer miles annually. This shift removes over 90% of rental car traffic from the Airport’s roadway system, cutting more than 500,000 lbs. of carbon emissions each year.
of removed Apron concrete, asphalt and aggregate is being reused at the airport or recycled.
All new steel is made in the USA and contains 94-98% recycled steel content.
of removed and salvaged steel, precast concrete, and masonry is being recycled and repurposed.
Terrazzo flooring:
Features recycled aggregate (glass, marble, granite, plastic chips), 0 VOC content, and GREENGUARD GOLD Certification.
