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George Bush Intercontinental Airport Federal Inspection Services Building
Project Information
- Project Location:
- Houston, TX
- Status:
- Completed - Jan 2004
- Structure Type:
- Terminal - Airport / Bus / Railroad
References
- Architect:
- PGAL
- Client:
- Houston Airport System
Scope Of Work
750,000-square-foot Federal Inspection Services (FIS) Building project centralized all immigration, customs inspections, and baggage inspection and handling for international arrivals. Careful coordination and collaboration minimized the impact on both the airport's active operations and adjacent construction. In addition, the new building ensured the client met new post-9/11 standards for airport security.
The FIS building is a three story, steel structure that features a glazed curtain wall and metal panel façade. Architectural curved trusses form portions of the high roof, which are covered with metal panels. The basement features a baggage handling area for all international travel with the baggage claim hall on the first level. On level two, there is an Immigration and Naturalization Service primary inspection hall and pedestrian bridges that connect to other terminals. The FIS Building connects to a new parking garage, which was connected at the west end via two elevator towers.
The airport wanted to expand international air traffic while also meeting new security standards implemented after 9/11. Given the project's location within an active airport, the project team had to accomodate the needs of air traffic control, Airfield Operations Areas (AOA), and public access. The project team coordinated their daily construction efforts, constructed temporary AOA fencing, and carefully monitored the schedule. Once the project was complete, the team relocated the airport's U.S. Customs and Border Control Operations in just one night.
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