The Prix Versailles is a globally recognized award presented at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, placing our work alongside architectural marvels in France, Japan, and China.

If you think "beautiful" is a word reserved for museums or opera houses — and certainly not busy airport terminals — think again. The judges specifically cited the terminal as an example of architecture that "provides a soothing, restorative setting for travelers".

“I feel like we won an Oscar,” says Project Director Wayne Campbell, who played a lead role on the project. “We felt like we were recognized because we were nominated, but this really sets us apart. It’s beyond great. It’s truly memorable. I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

Among the competitors were the Portland, Oregon, airport and the Marseille, France, airport. "All of them were great projects," Wayne says.

Great Designs Require Great Builders

The design credits for Boarding Area B belong to the architectural joint venture of HKS, Woods Bagot, ED2 International, and KYA. They provided the vision for the "light-filled" spaces and "cultural integration" that the judges praised.

But a blueprint is not a building.

The Austin Webcor Joint Venture turned that complex vision into reality. It takes a contractor to interpret those drawings, manage the logistics of a live airfield, and ensure that the ambitious specs actually stand up to the rigors of millions of annual passengers.

The fact is, we delivered on requirements that go far beyond aesthetics.

The Evidence: Form Meets Function

The Prix Versailles judges look for "intelligent sustainability" and "ecological efficiency" just as much as visual appeal. When they reviewed Harvey Milk Terminal 1, they found a facility where Webcor’s execution was critical to its accolades.

Consider the data points that support this honor:

• Sustainability: We built the first airport terminal in the world to achieve LEED v4 Platinum, WELL Core Platinum, and Fitwel certifications simultaneously.
• Innovation: We installed the first tote-based Independent Carrier System (ICS) for baggage handling in the U.S., which uses 50 percent less energy than traditional systems.
• Performance: The project achieved a 79 percent reduction in carbon emissions and a 59 percent decrease in energy usage.

Other criteria include cultural inclusion. T1BAB scored points for its LGBTQ focus, food offerings representing the Bay Area's diverse culture, its emphasis on Harvey Milk and his role in San Francisco history, and employee satisfaction. “We made the workspaces a lot more comfortable, focusing on things like how they get light and air, Wayne says.

In other words, the architects designed a sustainable masterpiece. Still, we are the ones who sourced the low-carbon concrete and managed the dynamic glazing installation that makes those numbers possible.

The Bottom Line

It is easy to look at an architectural award and assume it belongs solely to the designers. But the "quiet terminal" the judges admired is only quiet because of the precision construction that keeps jet engines' roar at bay.

The architects provided the vision. Austin Webcor provided the reality.

This award is a testament to every Project Manager, Superintendent, Engineer, and trade partner who touched this project. You didn't just build a terminal. You built one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world.