Miller Hull, Woods Bagot Release Design for C Concourse Expansion at SEA Inspired by the Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE, WA — The Miller Hull Partnership and Woods Bagot reveal the vision for the C Concourse Expansion (CCE) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) where a celebration of the Pacific Northwest, sustainable design, and a rethought approach to traditional terminal offerings enhance passengers' experience. Working closely with the Port of Seattle, the collaborative design team reimagines the major concourse through a distinct sense of place, performance, and partnership.

“We have a clear vision for how the airport will look, feel, and function in the coming years,” said SEA Managing Director Lance Lyttle. “Making your experience less stressful and more predictable is at the center of our vision. You can feel the difference now at the newly modernized N Concourse and soon to open International Arrivals Facility. The C Concourse Expansion is what's next in how SEA serves travelers, and we can't wait.”

Foregrounding the concept of “Bringing in, seeing out,” the expansion welcomes in the surrounding context and connects back to the regional landscape.

"The C Concourse Expansion will bring much-needed light, air, and passenger amenities to one of the busiest crossroads in the terminal. The new building was designed to bring back the excitement of flight with soaring interior volumes of space and multiple outdoor observation decks that reconnect us to the magic of travel and the iconic mountain and sound views that define the Pacific Northwest," said Brian Court, Lead Designer and Partner at Miller Hull.

In order to do that, the building's first key feature is a performative exterior envelope inspired by the forest and the frame. Just as in nature, where the forest protects from the sun, the building's shell modulates light and collects energy.

“The new C Concourse Expansion for SEA is an inspiring gathering place that is a destination in and of itself. This ambitious project intertwines the very best aspects of placemaking, sustainability, and signature architecture," said Matt Ducharme, Woods Bagot's Principal and West Coast Design Leader. "The expansion for SEA has many distinct attributes, but its grand stairs and focal pillar clad in locally sourced Douglas fir — from which sculptural geometries like curves and fractals emanate — are two emblematic features that succinctly convey the project's leading-edge take on contextual design."

Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, the concourse's interior is an interplay of environments that is defined by both the local energy and a connection to the natural landscape. The more active public spaces are designed to reflect the textures and activities of the famous markets in Seattle and the region. A marketplace sits at the center of the concourse with a bar and retail kiosks that frame an open seating area that is also defined by a busker stage for local musicians. This stage faces the Grand Stairs, which provides an activated connection to the restaurants at the mezzanine level.

The Port of Seattle, which owns and operates SEA, is working to be the greenest and most energy efficient port in North America, prioritizing the health and well-being of travelers and the environment. CCE is the first project to apply the Port of Seattle's new Sustainable Project Framework and sets the precedent for all future capital projects. Sustainable features include rooftop photovoltaics, fossil fuel free systems for heating and hot water, electrochromatic glazing for windows, dishwashing capabilities for vendors reducing the need for disposal dishware, embodied carbon reduction strategies, low-flow water fixtures, and biophilic design principles.

Project Details

Owner: Port of Seattle

Projected Completion: 2027

Architects: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP and Woods Bagot

Structural/Civil Engineering: MKA

Mechanical/Plumbing Engineering & Sustainability: PAE

Electrical Engineering, Smoke Control Airfield, & Logistics: Arup

Airport Dining and Retail Consultant: AirProjects

IT, Communications, & Security: Moye Consulting

Wayfinding & Signage: Mayer Reed

Lighting Design: Dark Light

Acoustics & Vertical Transportation: Greenbusch

Geotechnical Engineering: Hart Crowser

Cost Advice: Cumming

Code Compliance & Fire Protection: Jensen Hughes

Accessibility/ADA: Code Unlimited

BIM: Autoscan

Site Investigations & Surveying: Holt Services

General Contractor and Construction Manager: Turner Construction Company