The Federal Aviation Administration has selected the sustainable design for new air traffic control towers that will be used primarily at municipal and smaller airports.
Construction of the first of the new towers is planned begin next year.
The initial 31 control towers at candidate airports (pg. 664) are replacing towers that are now functioning beyond their intended design life. It includes towers at Detroit in Michigan, Hartford, Connecticut and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The tower design by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) of New York meets key sustainability requirements. Its modularity means the height of the tower can be adjusted to meet different airport’s traffic and sightline requirements, while also reducing construction and operational costs.
The design incorporates sustainable elements including all-electric building systems, materials and products free from chemicals known to pose health risks, the use of a thermally efficient façade, recycled steel and metal products, the use of renewable mass timber when possible and ground-source heating and cooling in some environments.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “These new air traffic control towers will mean that smaller airports can handle more flights, more sustainably and more affordably.
“I look forward to seeing this design go from the drawing board to construction sites across the country, helping our nation’s airports support more travelers, grow their local economies and prepare for the future of low-carbon aviation.”
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) preferences included that the design have standardized elements to reduce construction and operational costs while allowing for the building to be tailored to local climate and location issues such as very high and very low temperatures, wet and dry environments, and high winds.
The towers will range in height from 60 to 119ft. The FAA has set aside more than US$500 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support site evaluation, preparation, and early construction activities.