Portland International Airport

Portland International Airport (PDX), the largest in Oregon, is undergoing a major redevelopment as part of the PDX Next programme. The expansion focuses on enhancing passenger experience through innovative architecture and technology. PAE Engineers, alongside Arup consultants and ZGF Architects, designed the terminal’s extension, adding 40% more space with sustainable infrastructure and improved wireless communication.

To meet the project’s audio needs, Renkus-Heinz ICONYX Compact ICC 12/3 loudspeakers were selected to integrate seamlessly into the terminal’s design, housed within custom Integrated Technology Poles. This solution ensures exceptional speech intelligibility throughout the terminal while blending discreetly with the modern architecture.

To address the technology needs of the open-concept terminal, ZGF Architects and PAE Engineers developed an innovative solution: custom-designed Integrated Technology Poles created specifically for the project. The modular structures, fabricated from 100% metal, were designed to house multiple technologies, including loudspeakers.

The poles incorporate fire alarm coverage, cameras, lighting, Wi-Fi and access points alongside the audio technology. Designed to be rotatable for precise alignment, they work in harmony with the ICONYX Compact ICC 12/3’s beam-steering technology. The poles were prefabricated off-site, allowing them to be delivered fully assembled for efficient installation and minimal disruption to the public.

Extensive testing was conducted prior to installation, including a full-scale mock-up of the poles with CONYX Compact ICC 12/3 speakers installed in an airplane hangar. “We invited the airport’s client team to experience the system firsthand,” Ryan Lalum, Senior Associate at PAE Engineers recalls. “Everyone was blown away by the clarity and performance. It sealed the decision to go with Renkus-Heinz.”

The ICONYX Compact ICC 12/3’s advanced beam-steering technology delivers broad coverage patterns and tight dispersion, ensuring supreme audio quality. The technology allowed integrators to direct sound precisely where required, minimizing interference and ensuring intelligibility, even when the open terminal is extremely busy and noisy. The system provides 100% coverage throughout the space, delivering clear audio for paging announcements, wayfinding and general communications.

The loudspeakers also ensure focused audio in passenger flow areas, whilst minimizing spillover into operational zones. Dante connectivity simplifies integration with the airport’s digital infrastructure, enabling individually addressable speakers and streamlined maintenance.

Even when the terminal is experiencing high footfall and noise levels, the ICONYX Compact ICC 12/3 loudspeakers ensure focused audio in the right places, so everyone who needs to hear the announcements will do so. Additionally, the seamless integration of the loudspeakers into the poles allows the airport’s aesthetic to remain as intended – bright, spacious and uncluttered. The slim form factor of the poles ensures they don’t disturb the flow of terminal or block walkways, whilst remaining in keeping with the ‘natural’ look of the space, mirroring the shape of the trees and wooden ceiling panels.

The airport’s unique design presented several challenges for technology, integration, ventilation and acoustics. The terminal features expansive open areas, high ceilings, extensive glazing, and a striking mass-timber roof structure. While visually impressive, the absence of conventional walls or ceilings for system mounts required an innovative approach to integrate audio and other technologies.

Additionally, PAE Engineers helped design the terminal’s sustainable systems, including a new groundwater heating and cooling system. The design needed to balance energy efficiency with passenger comfort while avoiding disruptive noise. The resulting system delivers a 90% reduction in fossil fuel usage while maintaining optimal temperature control and sound quality.

PDX’s public address systems must ensure that boarding calls, safety announcements, and operational messages are clearly understood in a constantly changing soundscape that includes large passenger volumes, luggage movement, and other ambient noise. Achieving consistent coverage across such a large and open space without excessive reverberation or uneven audio levels was a technical challenge.

Aesthetic integration of the audio system was also key, as the airport sought to maintain the visual impact of the new terminal. The project team had to develop a new approach to meet the airport’s stringent requirements for coverage, clarity, and aesthetic integration. “The open design of the terminal was intended to mimic the outdoors, with no traditional infrastructure to conceal speakers,” explains Lalum.

The team selected Renkus-Heinz ICONYX Compact ICC 12/3 loudspeakers to integrate into the custom-designed Integrated Technology Poles, delivering powerful beam-steering capabilities to direct sound towards passenger areas. As a result, the stringent performance needs are met without disrupting the airport’s award-winning architectural design.

The transformation of Portland International Airport showcases the power of innovation and collaboration.  By combining advanced technology with thoughtful design and engineering, the PAE Engineers, in partnership with Arup and ZGF Architects, have created a sustainable and functional terminal that has exceeded passenger expectations. The seamless integration of multiple systems, including audio, lighting, security, and HVAC, ensures a harmonious environment that supports operational efficiency.

Renkus-Heinz ICC 12/3 loudspeakers were an integral part of the solution, helping to deliver clear and intelligible announcements throughout the terminal. Their beam-steering technology allows sound to be directed exactly where it is needed, minimizing spill and ensuring high-quality audio. This control is particularly important in the airport’s expansive space, where reflections could otherwise affect sound clarity. With these loudspeakers, the system enhances communication, supporting both operational efficiency and the overall passenger experience in a busy and dynamic environment.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with both passengers and staff noticing the clarity in communication delivered throughout the terminal. The success of the project is also thanks to the smooth integration of technological innovation with the terminal’s modern design, including the highly efficient heating and cooling system that enhances the overall passenger experience.

This project is a perfect example of how technology can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a major transport hub. It has set a benchmark for future airport designs, offering a comfortable, efficient, and acoustically optimized environment. As Lalum concludes, “The Integrated Technology Poles are a perfect embodiment of the project’s ethos – innovative, functional, and beautifully designed.”