A flurry of renowned architects has submitted designs for a potential redesign of Washington Dulles Airport, following President Donald Trump's call for a transformation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) released a Request for Information (RFI) in early December 2025, seeking proposals to enhance the airport's main terminal and satellite concourses. This initiative comes amidst Trump's criticism of the airport's design, labeling it as 'incorrectly designed' and 'terrible'.
Among the submissions, a proposal by Bermello Ajamil & Partners, in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, stands out. It includes detailed renderings of a potential terminal named the Donald J Trump Terminal, attached to a new structure. This proposal has sparked controversy, as it suggests renaming the airport after the former president, a move that has been championed by Republican lawmakers since before Trump's second inauguration.
London-based Grimshaw, in partnership with infrastructure firm Ferrovial, presented a unique design featuring a sweeping accordion ceiling structure. Their masterplan also reorganizes other airport facilities, such as parking structures. However, other studios like AECOM and Adjaye Associates submitted text-based proposals without visual renderings or new designs.
The project's main contention revolves around the historic status of the Eero Saarinen-designed terminal, which Trump praised despite his overall criticism of the airport's design. Conservation group Doconomo expressed serious concerns about the project's impact on the 1962 Saarinen building, advocating for its preservation. Interestingly, the original RFI did not mandate the retention of the historic building, allowing for proposals that incorporate or repurpose it.
Both the Bermello Ajamil & Partners/Zaha Hadid Architects proposal and the Grimshaw/Ferrovial design maintain the Saarinen building, suggesting its repurpose into a lounge. AECOM's proposal also considers shifting the Saarinen building to more commercial uses, generating revenue rather than adapting it for unintended functions.
The RFI explicitly mentions Trump's Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again executive order, aligning with his vision. However, both the Grimshaw/Ferrovial and Bermello Ajamil & Partners/Zaha Hadid Architects proposals exhibit a contemporary aesthetic, diverging from the classical style hinted at in Trump's order.
Despite the controversy, the DOT did not respond to requests for comment, and the RFI submission window has closed. The future of Washington Dulles Airport's redesign remains uncertain, with the final decision resting with the relevant authorities.
