Terminal 2

San Francisco International Airport (SF0) held a community open house today for its remodeled Terminal 2. Sitting at the center of the airport's main core just below the control tower, the 14-gate, 640,000-square foot facility will be home to Virgin America and American Airlines when it opens on April 14. SFO officials are quick to point out that Terminal 2 has achieved Gold Certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

First opened in 1954, Terminal 2 served as SFO's main terminal for many years. As the airport grew, it later became the international concourse until SFO opened its present International Terminal in December, 2000. The building was then closed until 2008 when SFO began a $383 million renovation that completely gutted the structure.

Pictured here is the terminal's departure level. Passengers can be dropped off right at the curb or access the terminal via a pedestrian bridge from the parking garage and airport train. The art installation above the entrance on the right side is composed of 120 pieces of laminated glass panels that change color depending on the light and the viewer's perspective. Designed by Seattle-based artist Norie Sato, "Air Over Under" shows an airplane wing flying above rolling clouds.