Chicago has officially broken ground on Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, the first new building in the city’s $8.5 billion ORDNext program. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in collaboration with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, the $1.3 billion concourse is the opening act of a decade-long transformation aimed at redefining one of the world’s busiest airports.
“By breaking ground on Concourse D, we are taking a critical first step toward enhancing how the airport welcomes and serves more than 80 million passengers each year,” says Michael McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Credit: Courtesy of the City of Chicago
Rivers of Inspiration
SOM’s design draws inspiration from the oxbow bends of Midwestern rivers, expressed through fluid geometries. A central arrival hall, marked by an oculus that floods the interior with daylight, serves as both orientation point and social heart. Landscaped zones break the vast interior into spaces for rest, dining, and retail.
“Our vision for the new Concourse D considers the entire passenger journey from curb to gate,” says Scott Duncan, Design Partner at SOM. “From skylit spaces to orchard-inspired columns, every element contributes to a bright, easy-to-navigate environment designed to elevate the travel experience and leave a lasting impression of O’Hare.”
Credit: Courtesy of the City of Chicago
Architecture of Light and Air
The concourse’s defining elements are its branching structural columns, inspired by the orchards that once dotted O’Hare’s landscape. Paired with sweeping rooflines and minimal vertical supports, the system creates expansive sightlines across the terminal while reducing embodied carbon. The southern end of the concourse, conceived as a serene retreat for travelers, opens to panoramic views of the airfield and Chicago skyline.
Credit: Courtesy of the City of Chicago
Public Space as Gateway
From double-height lounges to indoor groves, the design blurs the line between infrastructure and civic space. Carol Ross Barney, design principal and founder of Ross Barney Architects, emphasizes the significance: “We champion the transformative power of thoughtfully designed public spaces—especially within the vibrant hub of an international gateway like O’Hare.”
For Juan Gabriel Moreno, president of JGMA, the project carries civic weight: “We are honored to join the legacy of visionary architects who have helped shape O’Hare by enriching the passenger experience with a design that is bold, inclusive, and authentically Chicago.”
Credit: Courtesy of the City of Chicago
Future Forword
“This milestone marks a significant step in the future of O’Hare, exemplifying a shared commitment to elevating the passenger experience at one of the nation’s busiest airports,” says Cierine Nicolas, principal and project director at Arup.
Delivered through a partnership with construction manager AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, Concourse D is scheduled to open in late 2028. Work is also underway on Concourse E, a 464,000-square-foot companion facility with 24 new gates.
