A groundbreaking ceremony held in late June marks the official start of work on the LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse South project, an expansion of the recently-opened West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal.
The approximately 150,000-square-foot project, which will add eight gates for narrow-body aircraft at the south end of the West Gates, is intended to replace an existing regional jet terminal located near Terminal 8. But unlike other recent LAX additions and renovations, the new Midfield Satellite Concourse South , or MSC South for short, will utilize what is described as a "first-of-its-kind construction technique," where components are built in nine segments approximately a half-mile away and then delivered to the site and then assembled.
View looking southeast at Midfield Satellite Concourse South Woods Bagot
“It is a testament to LAWA’s consistent focus on innovation that LAX’s new MSC South is being delivered with a first-of-its-kind Offsite Construction and Relocation technique that will enable an accelerated project timeline, save money, and be flexible enough to adapt to meet future needs if required,” said LAWA chief executive officer Justin Erbacci in a news release. “MSC South is original in both the way it is being constructed and in its overall design, which celebrates our transformation while paying tribute to the architectural legacy of our airport.”
Woods Bagot is designing MCS South, which will have an L-shaped footprint which directly connects to the West Gates passenger concourse on its second floor. Plans call for an exterior brise soleil system, which frames views from the interior while also offering solar shading for the concourse within. The design, which is described as incorporating elements of LA's modernist homes, is aimed at achieving LEED silver certification.
“Drawing inspiration from California Modernism, the design for LAX’s MSC South captures a feeling of ease, simple but functional design, and timeless beauty,” said Woods Bagot principal and west coast design leader Matt Ducharme. “A great example of this is realized in the concourse’s exterior brise soleil system that links to the building's interior ceiling, creating a strong sense of place and indoor-to-outdoor connection for guests.”
Completion of $400-million MSC South is expected by 2025.
Midfield Satellite Concourse South siteCity of Los Angeles
The project is a component of LAX's ongoing $14.5-billion capital improvement project, which includes renovations of terminals, the construction of new ground transportation hubs, and an automated people mover system.
LAWA may also not be done adding passenger gates to the airport. Plans released in 2019 call for an expansion of Terminal 1 and the construction of a new Terminal 9 on the east side of Sepulveda Boulevard.
Follow us on social media:
