Solarban 72 Starphire Glass Helps Transform Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal
Featuring an undulating mass timber roof, steel beams mimicking tree trunks and branches, and expansive clerestory windows, Pittsburgh International Airport’s new 811,000-square-foot terminal, which officially opened in November 2025, presents a new gateway to the city. Designed by Gensler, outdoor terraces incorporate native plants, walkways and benches, and the wavy wood ceiling references the rolling hills of the Allegheny Mountains.
“The undulating roof design is intended to evoke impressions of being under a tree canopy. The shifting light from the clerestories is like dappled sunlight that filters down through the leaves,” says Carolyn Sponza, project director, Gensler, Pittsburgh.
Project details
A total of 38 architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) hollow beams filled with concrete cast a copper hue, creating the look of sunlight filtering through the canopy.
For the clerestory windows, which weave above and below the dropped timber ceiling, the design team wanted clear glass but also required solar control.
Initially, a glass product offering Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of 70% was considered. However, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) was just 0.38, which meant that more than a third of the solar heat would be allowed into the terminal.
“Our overall strategy was to find a glass that could be as close to clear as possible but would provide balance with our mechanical system so as not to add load thereby increasing unit size and operational costs,” says Sponza.
The design team prioritized a highly transparent glazing solution that would maximize clarity and daylight while working in harmony with the building’s mechanical systems. By balancing aesthetic and performance goals, the selected glass helped minimize energy demands, avoid increased HVAC loads and support long-term operational efficiency.
Ultimately,Solarban 72 Starphire glass from Vitro Architectural Glass was specified, which delivers a VLT of 68% and SHGC of 0.28.
