As a gateway to cities, airports should embody the spirit of place in their look and feel. This is what global architecture and engineering firm Corgan and Texas-based Lake | Flato Architects are looking to achieve at the San Antonio airport in Texas. A 900,000-square-foot, 17-gate terminal facility is coming to the airport, a locus which on average has 11 million annual visitors. The project will deliver a gleaming new terminal, and also a new ground transportation center, parking garage, central utility plant, and terminal roadway alignment. Both Corgan and Lake | Flato emphasized that the design teams intent is creating a sense of place with a typology that typically leans toward the generic.John Trupiano, a principal at Corgan, described the new terminal as providing a distinctive gateway experience for all passengers traveling to and from the San Antonio region.Trupiano also said the airport terminal will be rooted in the vibrant culture and community of San Antonio, and a project that takes inspiration from the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country, the terminal features a landside paseo and a post-security outdoor patio, blending comfort with a sense of place.The airport will be designed to embody the spirit of the city. (Courtesy Corgan and Lake | Flato Architects)[The terminal] prioritizes sustainability, enhanced accessibility, and support for military travelers, setting a new standard for inclusivity, Trupiano added. By honoring the spirit of San Antonio, this state-of-the-art facility paves the way for a new era of travel.The architects opted for natural materials that recall vernacular architecture in the area. (Courtesy Corgan and Lake | Flato Architects)Lake | Flato partner Joe Benjamin called the project a transformative moment for San Antonio.The architectural character of the terminal and the site development are inspired by San Antonios historic architecture and the exuberance of the Riverwalk and surrounding Texas Hill Country, Benjamin continued. A 60-foot garden will greet passengers before boarding. (Courtesy Corgan and Lake | Flato Architects)The new terminal will essentially conjoin existing Terminals A and B. Renderings by the architectural team show a new terminal built with natural materials, warm earth tones, and other elements which pay homage to the local vernacular.Upon entry, visitors will enjoy an immersive, 60-foot garden that harkens back to the shaded Cypress paseos and covered bridges of the San Antonio Riverwalk, a 15-mile pedestrian drag that is a landmark of the city. Hovering shed roofs will enclose the three vast rooms of Terminal C, where ticketing and a food and retail hall will be sited. The roof elements will also provide a noticeable exterior architectural element.Outside the terminal plants and vegetation contrast the expected airport hardscape. (Courtesy Corgan and Lake | Flato Architects)The city of San Antonio said the anticipated completion date is 2028. The total project cost is estimated at $1.68 billion.