O’Hare International Airport Satellite Concourse One

As the first building in the largest expansion in O’Hare’s history, Satellite One elevates the passenger experience through structural innovation, material efficiency, and a focus on human comfort.

Project Facts
  • Status Design In Progress
  • Size Building Gross Area: 901,822 square feet
  • Collaborators
    Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Inc. Facet Engineering David Mason & Associates - Chicago Ross Barney Architects Omni Ecosystems Altusworks Inc. Gwen Grossman Lighting Design Dynasty Group, Inc. Site Design Group, Ltd. JGMA Terra Engineering, Ltd Milhouse Engineering and Construction Inc Carol Naughton + Associates, Inc. CCS International, Inc. Virtual Energy Solutions Arup - Chicago Atelier Ten Aero Systems Engineering Gannett Fleming, Inc. BNP Associates Inc. Jensen Hughes Lerch Bates Entro Terracon Argus Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) AtkinsRealis Amanda Williams Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Project Facts
  • Status Design In Progress
  • Size Building Gross Area: 901,822 square feet
  • Collaborators
    Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Inc. Facet Engineering David Mason & Associates - Chicago Ross Barney Architects Omni Ecosystems Altusworks Inc. Gwen Grossman Lighting Design Dynasty Group, Inc. Site Design Group, Ltd. JGMA Terra Engineering, Ltd Milhouse Engineering and Construction Inc Carol Naughton + Associates, Inc. CCS International, Inc. Virtual Energy Solutions Arup - Chicago Atelier Ten Aero Systems Engineering Gannett Fleming, Inc. BNP Associates Inc. Jensen Hughes Lerch Bates Entro Terracon Argus Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) AtkinsRealis Amanda Williams Applied Research Associates, Inc.

A new era for O’Hare International Airport

Satellite Concourse One is the first new building to be constructed in the City of Chicago’s ambitious Terminal Area Plan—representing a generational investment in the future of O’Hare International Airport. Designed by SOM with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, this bright, modern concourse leads the largest area expansion and revitalization in the airport’s 68-year history.

The design draws inspiration from O’Hare’s original name, Orchard Field, a reference to its formerly bucolic site. This history  is expressed through a series of dramatic “tree columns” that branch outward to support a 150-foot-wide long-span roof. The structural system reduces the number of interior columns by nearly half, opening the plan to improve flexibility at the gates and ease circulation for millions of passengers each year.

Satellite interior, south end. Within the concourse, rows of columns branch out to create larger column-free expanses at the gate lounges, maximizing sightlines and improving flexibility for boarding and circulation paths while also reducing the carbon impact of the structure. Courtesy City of Chicago

An elevated passenger experience

As one of Chicago’s first domestic-international codeshare concourses, Satellite One is built for adaptability—accommodating a wide range of aircraft types while improving efficiency for both carriers and passengers. The international arrivals corridor is suspended above the concourse floor, allowing arriving and departing travelers to move securely and intuitively without crossing paths.

Gate lounges—among the largest at O’Hare—are designed with visibility, clarity, and comfort in mind. Natural materials, warm lighting, and acoustically responsive surfaces work together to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere, even in one of the nation’s busiest travel hubs.

International arrivals corridor. International arriving passengers will walk towards immigration and customs along a suspended bridge at the center of the concourse, with views down to the gate lounges and out to the airfield. Courtesy City of Chicago

Climate-responsive design

Tailored to the Midwest climate, the new concourse prioritizes environmental performance and passenger comfort. The expressive branching structure and sculpted roof form work together to reduce material use—cutting overall steel quantities and glazing area by up to 70 percent compared to conventional box profiles. These efficiencies significantly lower embodied carbon while improving thermal performance and daylight control.

The roof’s curved profile also minimizes solar heat gain, reduces east-west glare, and maximizes daylight autonomy—enabling over 90 percent of occupied areas to operate without artificial lighting during the day. High-efficiency mechanical systems and advanced energy modeling further contribute to a resilient, climate-conscious design.

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Interior view of the concourse gate lounges. A curved roof profile minimizes heating and cooling needs in the building, filtering daylight or reflecting artificial light to help align with the body's natural rhythms. High-performance mechanical and electrical systems further reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Courtesy City of Chicago
The new satellite concourse will connect directly to the existing Concourse C of Terminal One. The connection is designed to facilitate convenient connections between flights and to minimally impact the historic concourse structure. Courtesy City of Chicago

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