At Portland International Airport, PDX, there have been some big changes. The years-long main terminal redevelopment is currently in its final phase.
The 9-acre timber roof makes the terminal stand out as an architectural wonder. Timber for the structure came from local sources, including small family-owned lots and tribal lands. The timber was harvested within 300 miles of the airport. PDX received the Best Design in North America award in 2025.
One thing I like most about the renovated PDX is the abundance of live plants. The design includes 72 mature trees and 5,000 other plants. The wooden beams bring warmth; the plants bring a sense of calm to stressed-out travelers.
It’s a great atmosphere to take a leisurely stroll through. When you’re wandering around the terminal, you might want to visit one of the airport’s 24 stores or 34 restaurants.
The redevelopment includes beautiful elements, but it also includes practical ones.
- The main terminal is designed to withstand a magnitude 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The columns holding up the roof essentially ‘float’ separately from the ground.
- To decrease the need for artificial lighting, the terminal included portals with views of the sky. There are 49 of these skylights in the building.
- Underground, a groundwater heat pump system warms and cools the building as needed. Even though the building size increased by 40%, it will decrease its energy usage by half.
The budget for this project was $2.15 billion. Yes, that’s with a ‘b’, not an ‘m’. The redevelopment will help accommodate the millions of customers expected to use the facility, but it will also include a nod to its past.
PDX carpet
In 2015, the airport’s special projects division announced it would replace the carpet. The iconic carpet, designed by a local architectural firm, was installed in 1988. There was such a public outcry against the planned removal of the carpet that the airport revised its plans.
To help heal the wounds inflicted during the Great PDX Carpet Replacement Tragedy, PDX will install a newly manufactured version of the beloved carpet in ten locations. You can use the map on this site to find them when you visit the airport. Yeah, really! 😀
What happened to the old, worn-out carpet? Four area businesses won contracts to remove it. When one announced they would sell framed one-foot squares and two-by-three-foot floor mats, “the cars were lined up all the way down the street.” Other businesses sold luggage tags, coasters, magazine racks, sling-back chairs, and ottomans made from the remnants. There is a reason for the well-known slogan, “Keep Portland Weird.”
Now you may have a better understanding of why PDX is often on various best airport lists. They’ve put a lot of time into making the airport beautiful, safe, and energy efficient, but also considered the voice of the people.
Other wonders nearby
After viewing all the architectural wonders at PDX over your head and below your feet, Mother Nature will show you a few of her wonders once you are airborne. Mt. Hood is a short distance from the airport and I can’t help but smile every time I fly over it.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Looking back at challenge #1: Wonder
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge (WPWC) – Leisurely
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On 3 July 2026, I was notified that this post was selected for Freshly Pressed recognition. WordPress.com reviews posts by creators from around the world and showcases editors’ picks and community favorites on this site.
This is so cool, and it shows what can be achieved when there is the will. Love it!
Glad you liked it, Sofia! It’s more impressive in person.
Airports can be so boring. I love the creativity that went into this design. I love the story about the carpet.
Yes, this one is beautiful, Beth! I couldn’t resist adding the story of the carpet. 😀
The woodwork is a nice touch. Last time I passed through PDX was in 2015 and to be honest, nothing really stood out as being particularly memorable..
I am familiar with the carpet. A friend from Portland always insists on posting photos of his first steps on the carpet whenever he returns home. 🙂
Yes, Bob, it’s changed a lot since then. That’s funny about your Portland friend. People are kind of obsessed with that carpet. 😁
What a perfect subject for the challenge Siobhan! How beautifully they’ve re-done the airport while keeping in mind practicality and durability – really super! Why am I not surprised that Portland is the place where it happened! And I love the story of the carpet living on in the homes of the locals! Also loved your Mt Hood image. Terrific post.
Thanks so much, Tina! I need to spend more time exploring the airport. The carpet story is a funny one. Our local volcanoes look great from the sky. I always buy a seat on the side with the best view of the mountains. 😀
Siobhan, what a beautiful airport, and what a subject for this week’s challenge!
Yes, it was a perfect subject for the prompt, John! I hope to take more pictures on my next visit there.
The Great PDX Carpet Replacement Tragedy is the best airport story I’ve heard in ages — a city that revolts over its carpet and then sells the old stuff as framed squares is exactly the kind of weird worth keeping. As a family who tends to treat airports as the part of travel to be endured, the thought of 72 trees and 5,000 plants making a terminal feel calm sounds almost too civilized. And catching Mt. Hood from the window on the way out is a perfect send-off.
Yes, I thought the story about the carpet was one worth telling. It’s a beautiful airport with all those plants. Seeing Mt Hood up close is a special treat. 😁
Makes me want to fly up to Portland and cruise the airport. Fabulous building and soooo eco friendly / socially conscious! Love it! As someone who lives in California, on the San Andreas fault, reading about the earthquake enhancements is super cool. Yay Portland
Glad you liked what I shared about this beautiful airport. Yes, they were smart to plan for earthquakes in the future.
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As a retired carpenter, I love that roof 👍
Me too, Charlie! It is a work of art. 🙂
This was cool information. Thanks for the post. And it was cool to see an airport like that with the plants and everything that was neat.
Thank you! I loved all the plants there.
Thank you for highlighting our beautiful PDX Airport, my friend! And its new renovations. And congrats on being Freshly Pressed! When I received the email in 2013, it made my year. I’ve always enjoyed following your beautiful blog. Wouldn’t it be cool if all the Oregon bloggers got together somewhere to hang out? Perhaps at the Airport…lol Have a safe and relaxing 4th of July! 😊💛🌻☮️
Thanks, Tyler! It’s a great airport, isn’t it? Yeah, it would be nice if the OR bloggers could get together. Thanks for the congrats on being chosen for Freshly Pressed and congrats for your past post. 😁 You have a good 4th of July as well.
I flew out of Eugene. Makes me wish I had flown out of Portland instead.
Try to make it there on another trip, Matt. It’s well worth it! 🙂
Firstly, I’d like to thank you for taking part in our ‘Leisurely challenge ‘. Secondly, I apologise for the delay in replying to your post. I’ve just found you in the spam folder along with the posts of two other bloggers! Having read all three posts carefully, I can find no reason for any of them to be there.
I enjoyed reading about your airport; it sounds like it also attracts the non-travelling tourists. What a fabulous place.
Congratulations on being honoured with ‘Freshly Pressed’, but how strange that you also have the honour of being sent to the ‘naughty file’!
Thank you, Sue! I’ve had the same problem with comments getting sent to the Spam file. Since I don’t check it as often as I should, I’ve had to apologize to people who left comments.
PDX is beautiful. Glad I could share it with you.
So Nice
Thanks, it’s spectacular!
Wow; very vivid explanation of the airport’s redevelopment. I’m still blown away by the 9 acre timber roof.
Nice writing style too👏
Thanks! I had no idea it was that big until I started researching it. It’s an impressive airport. Next time I’m there, I’ll take more time to wander aimlessly. 😁
Great piece! Really enjoyed this one. I’d love for you to check out my latest piece at storefrontsubway.com!
Thanks, Luca!
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What a fascinating post! PDX is truly a remarkable blend of architecture, sustainability, and local culture. Thank you for sharing this inspiring journey and congratulations on the well-deserved Freshly Pressed recognition!
Thank you!
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