US President Donald Trump has called for a redesign of the Eero Saarinen-designed Dulles Airport near Washington DC, with the Department of Transportation (DoT) now seeking proposals to “replace or build on” the existing main terminal.
During a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, Trump criticized Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), describing it as “incorrectly designed” and “a terrible airport”.
“It was incorrectly designed with a good building,” Trump reportedly commented, referring to the main terminal designed by Finnish-American architect Saarinen in the 1960s.
“Actually, it’s got a beautiful terminal – one of the greatest architects in the world at the time,” he added. “And so they have a great building and a bad airport, but we’re gonna turn that around.”
Proposals invited “to construct completely new terminals”
However, a statement issued by Trump’s federal Department of Transportation left open the possibility of either “replacing or building on” Saarinen’s main terminal.
“The Secretary is inviting proposals and public-private partnership plans from the best and brightest developers, architects, and engineers to construct completely new terminals and concourses at IAD,” said the DoT.
“These structures would replace or build on the existing main terminal and satellite concourses at IAD.”
Trump and his administration have highlighted operational challenges at the airport, such as the use of “people movers”—bus-like vehicles that transport passengers from the terminal to planes on the runway—even as ongoing projects aim to modernize the airport, including the construction of a new concourse.
“New international gateway airport”
The memo also referenced Trump’s Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again executive order, which encourages federal buildings to favor classical and traditional architectural styles in new projects.
“Consistent with that EO, the president and the secretary are inviting industry experts to submit information, including design, finance, and construction concepts, for a new international gateway airport for the National Capital Region,” the DoT stated.
It remains unclear whether these plans would alter the existing structures on the site, such as concourses designed by American architecture firms SOM and HOK.
This announcement follows news that Trump would like the airport to bear his name.
This is just one part of Trump’s broader efforts to leave a lasting mark on the nation’s capital through architecture and design, including the planned demolition of the White House’s East Wing to make space for a large ballroom and proposals for a triumphal arch in the city.
Photography courtesy of Shutterstock.
