Seeking to create an elevated space for waiting passengers, American Airlines engaged Ghafari Associates and its partners to upgrade their Admirals Club + Flagship Lounge located at Chicago O’Hare Airport.

American Airlines recently launched an expansive lounge makeover program, applying new design guidelines at airports around the globe. The aim of this extensive upgrade is to create elegant spaces that better align with the modern lifestyles of their passengers while strengthening brand recognition. We support their goals by providing architecture and engineering services for renovations to their Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport’s Terminal 3 (their largest collective lounge space in the U.S.)

The lounges provide passengers with a refuge from the public concourse areas and the constant, noisy barrage of terminal happenings. Our design of the Admirals Club offers an atmosphere that is refreshing, flexible, open, and intended for shorter dwell times. The Flagship Lounge, geared toward elite patrons, is a more intimate space with a higher end, boutique feel. The overall design guidelines provide for flowing lines, iconic images, and juxtaposition of wood and metal. Both clubs feature communal tables, high-back chairs, and power outlets with USB ports. Our design replaced halogen and fluorescent lights with energy-saving LED lighting. Hidden wall grazers and pendants were added to provide direct and indirect lighting.

We completed this project using Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in partnership with American and the contractor, F.H. Paschen. As this was the airline’s first IPD endeavor in Chicago, we guided the group through the highly collaborative process, engaging key American and Paschen stakeholders from the start of the project through design and construction.

Through our integrated approach, we created a new dynamic for client collaboration that strengthened project success. Both lounges, which were completed on time and under budget, provide atmospheres that are modern, stylish, and welcoming.

Design: Ghafari Associates, Gary Lee Partners Contractor: F.H. Paschen Photography: Tom Rossiter

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