A team led by Studio Gang founder Jeanne Gang has been named the winner of the bid for the concourse and terminal at Chicago O'Hare airport, beating competition from SOM, Foster + Partners and Santiago Calatrava.

Gang and her competition team Studio ORD were revealed today as the lead architect for the $8.5-billion expansion project for the Chicago O'Hare international airport (ORD).

Studio ORD ? which comprises Studio Gang, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Corgan, Milhouse Engineering and Construction, and STL Architects ? were selected by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and a committee.

The team were awarded the project ahead of a number of major firms that shortlist the for O'Hare Global Terminal and Global Concourse in January 2019.

The winning terminal proposal is a Y-shaped scheme that will span 2.25 million square feet (0.2 million square metres). The converging lines would conceal three areas.
"The tripartite design merges terminal and concourse into a single building," said Studio ORD, adding that the pronged shaped is intended a reference to the city's unique position along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

"Every aspect of the design is focused on creating a uniquely Chicago experience," said Jeanne Gang.

"Like the confluence of the Chicago River, the design's converging three branches create a central hub that establishes a vibrant new neighbourhood in the heart of O'Hare's campus," Studio ORD added.

The pronged layout was also ...