Consulting Engineering
Spanning 750,000 SF, Memphis-Shelby International Airport (MEM) is an important destination for multiple airlines, the headquarters for the FedEx cargo operation, and home to a state-of-the-art Air National Guard Facility. CMTA partnered with UrbanARCH and Alliiance on a multi-phased project to update the airport’s 60-year-old terminal buildings to accommodate future demand, improve ADA accessibility, increase energy efficiency, and improve life safety. Encompassing approximately 500,000 SF of terminal area, the renovated facility aims to provide modern amenities and meet the future needs of operations, airlines, TSA, and other stakeholders.
The project will expand the building facade, reconfigure vertical circulation and the ticket lobby, construct a Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS), expand the Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP), create an employee screening checkpoint, expand bag claim, and prepare an area for a future new FIS. The first phase of the project includes the addition of a new 100,000 SF building to house administration, CBIS (checked baggage inspection system), and TSA. A 40,000 SF enclosed, elevated pedway will connect the new building to the terminal, providing semi-conditioned space for baggage conveyance systems and a secure corridor for TSA staff.
CMTA is also renovating the airport’s central utility plant, replacing aging infrastructure to enhance both resiliency and efficiency. This modernization includes the installation of new electrical distribution gear, optimized ventilation systems, and heat recovery chillers, alongside upgraded chiller plant controls and cooling towers. Currently, the existing chiller plant operates at 4,700 tons and consists of four 1,000-ton chillers. The renovation includes replacing one 1,000-ton chiller, decommissioning a 700-ton chiller, and adding a new 300–400-ton heat recovery chiller, while the existing cooling towers will be upgraded to support the enhanced systems.
MEM is committed to reducing environmental impacts through sustainability measures. The design team has collaborated to create a sustainable and energy-efficient modernization plan for Memphis International Airport, aiming to enhance the terminal’s usability, safety, and comfort while minimizing costs and environmental impact. By integrating site design, water use, energy use, material use, and environmental quality, the team is seeking to optimize energy consumption and minimize maintenance costs—all within the available budget.
As a result, we are reducing the EUI from 193 kBTU/SF to 157 kBTU/SF and transitioning from steam to heating hot water to improve efficiency by 30%. Combined with the heat recovery chiller, we are targeting a 991-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The project follows LEED guidelines to quantify sustainability and will utilize federal funding through the BIL Act.
