When San Diego’s Terminal 1 opened in 1967 it served 2.5 million passengers annually. By 2024, that number had surged to more than 25 million. To meet current needs and accommodate future growth, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is constructing a 1.16 million square foot replacement — nearly three times the size of the existing facility — with 30 gates, streamlined services, and modern amenities for travelers. The existing terminal has been demolished, and new construction will be completed in two phases, delivering 19 gates in 2025 and 11 more in 2028.
Enclos is providing 365,000 square feet of custom facade across the two phases. Systems include 213,500 square feet of unitized curtainwall, 38,000 square feet of unitized clerestory windows, 31,000 square feet of curved glass entrance wall with AESS support, and an 11,000 square foot glass canopy.
Acoustic performance was a primary consideration for the concourse enclosures. Here, typical curtainwall units span 8-foot-wide by 30-foot-tall with vision glass and shadow box conditions. The system utilizes 1.7-inch-thick insulated glass units (IGU) adhered to 9.25-inch-deep aluminum frames to mitigate sound transfer. Units attach to the primary structure at various conditions, including floor slabs, roof steel, and intermediate steel wind girts. Large curved and perforated sunshades are selectively placed along the exterior to mitigate heat buildup and soften light.
For the project’s 800-foot-long and 33-foot-tall signature entrance wall, the design team sought to create an effect similar to light reflecting off the waters of the Pacific coast. Early explorations to maximize daylight but manage glare included single and double skin systems utilizing flat, staggered, brise-soleil and curved glass. Enclos was enlisted on a design-assist basis to provide system details and concept renderings for each iteration, and solicit vendor, manufacturing and field crew feedback for real-time cost impacts.
Making Waves
Explore Terminal 1’s entrance wall iterations with Director of Design Earl Patrick.
The entrance’s ultimate design — dubbed the “Luminous Wave” — utilizes a 1.25-inch-thick concave insulated glass unit (IGU) with gradated vertical frit pattern, glazed to a small aluminum curtainwall with integrated 18-inch curved exterior fin with textured vertical ridges. Typical units are 5’ 4” wide by 13’ 9” tall.
Supporting these units is a horizontal architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) truss with welded plate profiles following the wave pattern. This truss spans 32 feet between primary columns and incorporates mid-span tension rods to control sag. Enclos lead visual and performance mock-ups to validate system design, manufacturing and installation prior to construction.
Phase 1 opened to the public in September 2025. Phase 2 is scheduled for completion in early 2028.