San Francisco International Airport Tower

When San Francisco International Airport needed to replace its 1984-commissioned traffic control tower building, it tapped HNTB as master architect to perform conceptual work and take the design to 45-percent completion.

HNTB met the challenge of squeezing the control tower integrated facilities base building into a narrow gap between terminals 1 and 2. The resulting 221-foot-tall-torch-shaped tower enhances sightlines by offsetting the cab while fulfilling SFO’s desire for a distinctive form. With the offset cab design, the Federal Aviation Administration has a larger, more contiguous space in which to work – without having to compromise any of its strict design requirements.

The new air traffic control tower meets or exceeds the strictest seismic standards, is LEED®-Gold certified, contains the latest technology and is a symbol of the airport for generations to come.

• New tower fits into narrow gap between terminals 1 and 2
• Distinctive torch-shaped form is compatible with surrounding architecture
• Offset cab enhances sightlines, offers larger, more contiguous space