YVR Pier D

This expanded international terminal wing—known as Pier D—accommodates four additional gates, adding critical wide-body aircraft capacity to the international terminal. Pier D also includes retail spaces, restaurants and bars, and a remote stand aircraft operation facility.

The terminal wing’s design influenced by vernacular west coast architecture includes a soaring feature atrium that forms around a glass-enclosed island forest open to the sky. Surrounding the central island and supporting the roof above are ten 50-foot-tall structural trees; glulam columns that each support a web of timber members through custom-cast steel connections. The project joins a 2004 award-winning expansion—also designed by Bush Bohlman—that contains structural feature elements, including curved canoe-shaped trusses and a double level loading bridge.

The collaborative design process involved a strong working relationship with the architect, steel fabricator, and general contractor, and provides a much-needed expansion to YVR Airport.