The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently selected a sustainable design for air traffic control towers used primarily at municipal and smaller airports.
“These new air traffic control towers will mean that smaller airports can handle more flights, more sustainably and more affordably,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “I look forward to seeing this design go from the drawing board to construction sites across the country, helping our nation’s airports support more travelers, grow their local economies, and prepare for the future of low-carbon aviation.”
Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) of New York submitted the design. It met all the key sustainability requirements, including all-electric building systems; ground-source heating and cooling in some environments; high-recycled steel and metal products; materials and products free from chemicals known to pose health risks; renewable mass timber when usable; and a thermally efficient façade.
In addition, PAU can adjust the tower height to meet each airport’s traffic and sightline requirements. The FAA-preferred design has standardized elements.
The FAA will spend more than $500 million to replace 31 control towers, ranging in height from 60 feet to 119 feet, that are beyond their intended design life. The first groundbreaking is expected next year.