Instilling a vivid sense of place at Winnipeg International Airport
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/61acf9e049-1711377283/winnipeg-drop-off-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/61acf9e049-1711377283/winnipeg-drop-off-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/61acf9e049-1711377283/winnipeg-drop-off-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/61acf9e049-1711377283/winnipeg-drop-off-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/61acf9e049-1711377283/winnipeg-drop-off-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
A bustling air transportation hub in Manitoba, the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is a light-filled terminal composed of luminous pavilions with sweeping views of the prairie and downtown Winnipeg. The boundless prairie horizon is central to the terminal’s design — a long and low form with a silvery roof that appears to float. The building’s transparency allows travelers to enjoy expansive views of and form immediate connection to the surrounding landscape.
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/4fa4f13cdc-1711377284/winnipeg-overhang-detail-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/4fa4f13cdc-1711377284/winnipeg-overhang-detail-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/4fa4f13cdc-1711377284/winnipeg-overhang-detail-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/4fa4f13cdc-1711377284/winnipeg-overhang-detail-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/4fa4f13cdc-1711377284/winnipeg-overhang-detail-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/d579e6fadb-1711377277/winnipeg-bag-drop-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/d579e6fadb-1711377277/winnipeg-bag-drop-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/d579e6fadb-1711377277/winnipeg-bag-drop-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/d579e6fadb-1711377277/winnipeg-bag-drop-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/d579e6fadb-1711377277/winnipeg-bag-drop-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/47271bc181-1711377287/winnipeg-terminal-arrival-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/47271bc181-1711377287/winnipeg-terminal-arrival-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/47271bc181-1711377287/winnipeg-terminal-arrival-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/47271bc181-1711377287/winnipeg-terminal-arrival-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/47271bc181-1711377287/winnipeg-terminal-arrival-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
“This building has never been about just being a building. This is the first place many people see — it is the reflection of our community.” — Barry Rempel, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/bdac7f847b-1711377284/winnipeg-jetway-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/bdac7f847b-1711377284/winnipeg-jetway-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/bdac7f847b-1711377284/winnipeg-jetway-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/bdac7f847b-1711377284/winnipeg-jetway-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/bdac7f847b-1711377284/winnipeg-jetway-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
Contributing to the future of Manitoba’s prairie ecosystem
The first LEED-certified freestanding airport building in Canada, the terminal is a benchmark for sustainability. The design focused on creating abundant natural light and innovative mechanical systems to radically reduce energy consumption. The terminal’s exterior incorporates low-emissivity glass coating, ceramic fritting, and automated sunshades. Drought-resistant landscape design and low-demand and infrared water fixtures substantially reduce water use.
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/7ad3be3ae3-1711377276/winnipeg-baggage-claim-cropped-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/7ad3be3ae3-1711377276/winnipeg-baggage-claim-cropped-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/7ad3be3ae3-1711377276/winnipeg-baggage-claim-cropped-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/7ad3be3ae3-1711377276/winnipeg-baggage-claim-cropped-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/7ad3be3ae3-1711377276/winnipeg-baggage-claim-cropped-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/27c2dc8db7-1711377281/winnipeg-gate-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/27c2dc8db7-1711377281/winnipeg-gate-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/27c2dc8db7-1711377281/winnipeg-gate-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/27c2dc8db7-1711377281/winnipeg-gate-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/27c2dc8db7-1711377281/winnipeg-gate-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
![](https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/737cb08ef4-1711377286/winnipeg-twilight-prairie-320x-q80.jpg 320w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/737cb08ef4-1711377286/winnipeg-twilight-prairie-640x-q80.jpg 640w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/737cb08ef4-1711377286/winnipeg-twilight-prairie-1040x-q80.jpg 1040w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/737cb08ef4-1711377286/winnipeg-twilight-prairie-1440x-q80.jpg 1440w, https://pcparch.com/media/pages/work/terminal-and-parkade-winnipeg-james-armstrong-richardson-international-airport/737cb08ef4-1711377286/winnipeg-twilight-prairie-2880x-q80.jpg 2880w)
More About the Project
Project Team
- Cesar Pelli, FAIA, RIBA, JIA ↗
- Fred W. Clarke, FAIA, RIBA, JIA ↗
- Mark R. Shoemaker, AIA ↗
- Greg Biancardi
- Jose Luis Cabello
- Guillermo Gonzalez
Principal Collaborators
- Architect of Record: Stantec
- Structural Engineer: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.
- MEP: SMS Engineering PA
- Mechanical Engineer: Stantec
Project Information
- Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Client: Winnipeg Airports Authority
- Size: 646,000 sq. ft. / 60,000 sq. m.
- Completion: 2011
- Certifications: LEED Silver
- Firm Role: Design Architect
- Principal Project Photography: Jeff Goldberg/ESTO
- Video by Jeff Goldberg/ESTO