As a specialist in international aviation undertakings, Molly Duggan Associates was the perfect choice for SFO to become the world's leading airport. The goal required a comprehensive blueprint starting from the planning and design phases of the construction engineering process.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) partnered with Molly Duggan Associates to achieve the airport’s ultimate goal of offering a remarkable passenger journey and setting the bar for other airports worldwide.
As a specialist in international aviation undertakings, Molly Duggan Associates was the perfect choice for SFO to become the world’s leading airport. The goal required a comprehensive blueprint starting from the planning and design phases of the construction engineering process.
SFO created an exceptional project delivery paradigm methodology for design and construction projects. The framework – entitled ‘Delivering Exceptional Projects – guides partners in planning, designing, and executing projects while structured collaborative partnering and stakeholder engagement processes act as the conveyance for the journey.
SFO’s unique approach to design and construction projects necessitated a comprehensive communication plan to reach diverse audiences such as designers, contractors, construction and project managers, and concessions operators.
‘Delivering Exceptional Projects’ amalgamates the essential principles from the Strategic Plan, REACH, and Sustainability publications. It summarises the steps SFO is taking to become one of the leading airports worldwide and presents the ideas that will guide all airport development. It is an indispensable guide for all airport development, ensuring that SFO maintains its position as an exemplary airport and achieves its goal of becoming the world’s leading airport.
Geoff Neumayr, the chief development officer for SFO’s design and construction division, was exhausted with the traditional approach to design and construction, which often involved confrontational tactics. After completing a master plan for the airport, stakeholders had concerns about the back of the house. Being on time and budget was insufficient, and the goal was to achieve exceptional outcomes.
Therefore, airport management and personnel embraced a collaborative approach that prioritises cooperation and aims to establish trust and support among the airport, its partners, and stakeholders. This approach is intended to be informative and aspirational, aiming to inspire everyone who wishes to work with SFO as it strives to achieve its goal of exceptional project outcomes.
SFO began adopting principles of the “progressive design-build” (PDB), taking partnering more seriously. Neumayr was inspired by the potential and aimed to transform SFO into a special place to carry out unique projects.
The airport has since completed a $7.5-billion capital program with no major claims or schedule overruns, placing it among the country’s top aviation leaders in sustainability. The program included a modernization and upgrade of Terminal 3, a technologically advanced parking garage, an AirTrain extension, a water-wastewater treatment plant, and an air traffic control tower that employs a performance-based seismic design with vertical post-tensioning.
Wayne Campbell, senior design manager for the design-build team of Austin Commercial and Webcor, who constructed the $850-million boarding area of Terminal 1 and Boarding Area B, acknowledges the benefits of the partnering program at SFO. SFO prioritised finding solutions that worked for all parties involved, not just for themselves or one person’s agenda.
Kristin Allen, SFO project manager for Terminal 1, describes the project as “Terminal First,” with a six-month programming session that brought together stakeholders to envision the building together, prioritising transparency and an open dialogue. Rosendin Electric collaborated with multiple contractors, architects, and designers and engineers on smart glass, CCTV, Wi-Fi, and security and access control systems throughout the airport, praising the massive collaboration room and the project team’s ability to work through issues in a single space.
SFO’s exceptional project delivery approach has helped it become a global leader in aviation. The airport’s unique approach prioritises cooperation and trust among stakeholders, resulting in exceptional outcomes and making it a leader in sustainability. SFO’s adoption of progressive design-build principles and partnering programs has allowed stakeholders to envision projects together and prioritise transparency and open dialogue.
SFO’s exceptional project delivery approach has paved the way for other airports worldwide to improve passengers’ overall experience and become a global leader in aviation. Despite its progress, SFO remains dedicated to continuous improvement and is planning to seek approval for its development over the next ten years.
