Gensler Dominates 2026 Prix de Versailles Aviation Shortlist with Dual Nominations
Global architecture giant Gensler has solidified its leadership in aviation design by securing two spots on the prestigious 2026 Prix de Versailles World Selection in the Aviation category.
Announced annually at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Prix de Versailles celebrates the pinnacle of contemporary architecture worldwide, focusing heavily on commercial spaces that balance innovation, cultural identity, and ecological efficiency. Remarkably, Gensler is the only architecture firm to have two airport mega-projects named to the aviation shortlist this year.
A Legacy of Award-Winning Aviation Architecture
This double nomination follows a major victory for the firm last year. In 2025, Gensler took home the coveted Prix de Versailles World Title in Aviation for its stunning design of the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport.
For the 2026 cycle, the international jury has spotlighted two of Gensler’s newly completed coastal-to-inland transit hubs:
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT): A brand-new terminal recognized for seamlessly blending the regional identity of Western Pennsylvania with modern operational efficiency.
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) Terminal 1: A sweeping transformation of one of America’s busiest single-runway airports into a sustainable, community-first gateway.
According to Gensler, both projects serve as blueprints for how infrastructure can elevate a city’s global standing while generating tangible civic value. To explore more pioneering infrastructure overhauls, read our latest coverage on innovative public engineering projects.
Pittsburgh International’s $1.7B Terminal Redefines Passenger Flow
Completed in late 2025, the new $1.7 billion landside and airside terminal spans an impressive 811,000 square feet. Gensler engineered and designed the massive facility in a collaborative joint venture with HDR and luis vidal + architects.
The central design philosophy focused entirely on streamlining the passenger experience. By consolidating check-in, TSA security clearance, baggage claim, and multi-modal ground transportation under a single roof, the new terminal completely eliminates the need for the airport’s legacy automated people mover train system. This smart consolidation alone is projected to save the airport authority approximately $18 million annually in routine operating and maintenance costs.
Architecture Rooted in Western Pennsylvania’s Landscape
Visually, the terminal pays homage to the local topography and industrial heritage of the Pittsburgh region:
- The Roofline: A sweeping, undulating structure that directly mimics the rolling peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.
- Structural Support: 38 dramatic, exposed-steel “tree columns” that open up the interior volume, making the indoor spaces feel like a natural canopy.
- Outdoor Terraces: Four expansive, open-air passenger terraces featuring native plant species, bringing regional ecology straight into the terminal.
Furthermore, the design team is actively pursuing LEED Gold certification, underscoring a heavy commitment to energy-efficient infrastructure and carbon reduction.
San Diego International Terminal 1 Focuses on Coastal Sustainability
On the West Coast, Gensler’s transformation of San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 tackles an entirely different logistical challenge: modernizing a high-traffic coastal gateway hemmed in by a compact footprint.
The shortlisted terminal emphasizes beach-community aesthetics, natural light optimization, and strict sustainability goals designed to mitigate the climate pressures facing Southern California’s coastline.
“Both of these projects showcase our broader vision: creating airports that don’t just process passengers, but actively strengthen communities while scaling up to meet future travel demands,” said Ty Osbaugh, Principal and Global Aviation Leader at Gensler.
With three consecutive years of top-tier international recognition from UNESCO, Gensler continues to dictate the design language of the next generation of global transit hubs. For a closer look at international project criteria, visit the official Prix de Versailles platform.
