Join SOM at the Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE World) at ExCeL London this month to discover how our latest aviation projects are redefining the future of airport design and passenger experience.

On March 17, Design Partner Scott Duncan will join Michael McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, to discuss Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and a transformational terminal development program, known as ORDNext, a decade long effort to reimagine the airport’s future.

As the first new building within the ORDNext phase, Concourse D is a striking new satellite facility designed by SOM in collaboration with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, to elevate the passenger experience from curbside to gate. Designed with light‑filled interiors, expressive structural “tree” columns, and flexible gate layouts, the concourse will add 19 gates, expansive lounge, retail, and dining spaces, and welcoming public areas shaped by natural forms and daylight. During this session, Duncan and McMurray will discuss the program’s design strategies and lessons learned. Gain insight into the innovative construction approaches and shared vision driving the program forward. 

On March 19, Associate Principal Jordan Pierce will join Sanjeev Guness, CEO of InfraRose, to discuss the redevelopment of N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa. 

With construction already underway, SOM’s masterplan includes a full placement of existing terminal operations, along with new infrastructure and facilities to support both international and domestic growth. Modular and scalable, the new terminal will accommodate up to 5 million passengers annually by 2037, with long-term capacity expandable to 9.1 million by 2050.

The session will explore the opportunities and challenges of this unique undertaking, demonstrating how local private enterprise can drive innovative airport development while embedding sustainability and operational excellence.