Security Checkpoint Connector at Lehigh Valley International Airport Achieves LEED Gold Certification
The Sheward Partnership is excited to announce that the Security Checkpoint Connector Improvements project at Lehigh Valley International Airport achieved LEED Gold certification under the LEED v4 for New Construction Rating System!
The Sheward Partnership was selected to complete a renovation and expansion to Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which was completed in 2023. This new 25,000 square foot security checkpoint facility connects the existing terminal building with the existing Midfield Concourses. The existing facility required outbound passengers to travel from the main terminal through a constrained sublevel security checkpoint to a constricted sublevel tunnel with no natural daylight to the concourse. Inbound passengers were required to travel through the same undersized tunnel from the concourse through the tunnel, past the cluttered checkpoint to the bag claim facility. Both passenger circulation paths were tight, disorienting and confusing to the traveling public. The airport owner and operator, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) required more capacity and size for the outbound passenger flow through the passenger security checkpoint to the concourse. Additionally, LNAA desired a larger and more open inbound passenger circulation path from the concourse to the baggage claim facility.
The design team’s programming and planning efforts focused on a solution that decoupled outbound and inbound traffic flow to create brighter and larger spaces that would maximize intuitive passenger wayfinding while reducing stress for the traveling public. The new design produced a layout that expanded the subgrade circulation areas for inbound traffic flow only. Additionally, a new at grade outbound passenger connector building was built with an expanded passenger screening checkpoint. The decoupled outbound circulation path leads passengers through an open natural daylit checkpoint to a vertical circulation core. Passengers ascend the stairs and escalators to a bridge that connects to the main concourse. The new completed program includes four new TSA checkpoint lanes, four new elevators, and four escalators for both inbound and outbound passenger flow, as well as TSA offices and support space. The building also includes a new elevated walkway which spans a portion of the apron allowing vehicle traffic to flow underneath while outbound passenger flow enters the concourse directly into the gate level.
Sustainability Initiatives
Here are just a few of the project highlights that contributed to LEED Gold certification:
Health Innovation
The Lehigh Valley International Airport Security Checkpoint project provides a safe and healthy environment for all employees, staff, and visitors by addressing key areas to suppress the spread of viruses. They were the first airport in the world to install LifeAire Systems, LLC – an air purification system designed in the Lehigh Valley that reduces airborne pathogens by over 99% (including COVID-19) and achieved a 96% reduction in harmful surface pathogens from just a single pass. This system minimizes human exposure to harmful airborne contaminants and maximizes safety and the health for everyone. In addition, at such time when the Lehigh Valley is designated as under threat of a contagious pandemic, the airport can initiate a “Pandemic Mode” allowing the HVAC system to increase the percentage of outside air to 30% to provide higher fresh air changes per hour without sacrificing visitor and employee comfort. Improved indoor air quality is determined to have the greatest affect on the health and wellness of the occupants in a space. A well filtered and ventilated space hinders the spread of airborne particulates and provides clean breathing air to both airport passengers and employees.
Since the new facility has opened, passenger growth has exceeded expectations and passenger feedback has been universally positive. Post occupancy site visits found TSA Agents eager to thank the design team for greatly improving their daily work experience by providing a comfortable, peaceful, healthy, and appealing daylit space for their team and travelers.
Many thanks to our team members who contributed to the certification process!
Project Team
Owner/Developer: Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Architecture, Interiors: The Sheward Partnership
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering: Arora Engineers
Structural Engineering: RS&H
Site/Civil Engineering: Airport Design Consultants, Inc.
LEED & Sustainability Consultant: The Sheward Partnership
General Contractor: Bracy Construction
