Unlocking Possibilities with Light at World-Class Airports
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport’s new Concourse A/B Connector is a major terminal enhancement that creates a bright, spacious link between the two Southwest-dedicated concourses, improving circulation and passenger comfort in one unified airside space.
The architectural design focuses on a generous, daylight-filled hall with exposed structure and clear sight-lines, conceived as a contemporary gathering place that anchors Southwest Airlines’ long‑term growth at the airport.
The ceiling becomes a canvas of soft, diffused illumination as concealed HIGHLIGHTER® GEN4 COLOR CHANGING in DL-NICHE config luminaires bathes the overhead structure in sweeping shades of color. Mounted with custom U-shaped shields that eliminate glare and conceal the source from view, the luminaires create an immersive overhead glow that transforms the ceiling plane into a dynamic architectural feature, reinforcing the new connector’s open, sculptural roofline and sense of volume.
Additional STR9® COLOR CHANGING provides a smooth, continuous illumination along the interior sides, visually extending the concourse and drawing passengers forward, which softens the long walking distances and adds a subtle, hospitality‑like atmosphere rather than a purely utilitarian terminal feel.
Better yet, the entire installation is powered by only four INFINITY® power supplies, fully leveraging the advantages INFINITY®technology offers in a crucial piece of public infrastructure like BWI.
The BWI Concourse A/B Connector serves as a powerful testament to how architectural lighting brings depth and character to critical public transportation infrastructure. By merging aesthetic precision with the practical benefits of centralized power, GVA’s solution perfectly answers the complex demands of modern aviation design, creating spaces that are not just functional, but memorable.
In total, GVA shipped:
- 273 linear meters (897 linear feet) of HIGHLIGHTER® GEN4 COLOR CHANGING in DL-NICHE configuration with custom U-Shield
- 123 linear meters (279.5 linear feet) of STR9® GEN3 COLOR CHANGING COLOR STREAM
- INFINITY® Power Supply System
Client: BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Aviation Administration
Lighting Designer: Evelyn McGowan | Jacobs
Architect of Record: The Sheward Partnership, LLC
Photography: The Sheward Partnership, LLC
GVA Partner: Alliance Lighting, The Lighting Digest
