San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport, San Diego, CA.

San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 is a landmark redevelopment that redefines the passenger experience while strengthening the airport’s connection to the surrounding city and waterfront. As part of a $3.4 billion design-build program, the new terminal enhances airfield operations, expands transportation connectivity, and creates an inviting gateway that reflects the character of Southern California.

The 1.2-million-square-foot terminal designed by Gensler, embraces its coastal setting through expansive glazing, open public spaces, and panoramic views of San Diego Harbor. The architecture maximizes natural light while creating a seamless visual relationship between the interior and the surrounding landscape, offering travelers a bright, welcoming environment from arrival to departure.

HLB Lighting Design developed an integrated lighting and daylighting strategy that prioritizes visual comfort, passenger wellness, and energy performance. The design team selected high-performance lighting systems that work in harmony with abundant daylight to create comfortable, glare-controlled spaces throughout the terminal while supporting the project’s sustainability objectives.

Lighting Design: HLB Lighting Design

Architect: Gensler

Owner/Developer: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

Photography by: © Ema Peter Photography

Sales Representatives: Performance Lighting Systems | San Diego Lighting Associates

Pursuing LEED Gold

A dramatic double-height curtain wall with curved glazing introduces daylight deep into the building. Solar heat gain and glare are carefully managed through a combination of floor-to-ceiling aluminum fins, strategically patterned fritted glass, and exterior shading devices. Together, these passive design strategies and efficient lighting solutions selected by HLB are expected to contribute to an estimated 20% reduction in the terminal's overall energy consumption, supporting the project's pursuit of LEED Gold certification.

Lighting the Gateway to Southern California.

At San Diego International Airport Terminal 1, lighting plays a central role in shaping a gateway that is efficient, comfortable, and connected to its location.

Through the integration of natural daylight, precision architectural lighting, and custom-engineered solutions, the terminal delivers a passenger experience defined by clarity, warmth, and visual openness.

Targetti’s DART and ZENO luminaires support this vision with performance, flexibility, and discreet architectural integration—helping transform the journey through the airport into a distinctly San Diego experience.

This project features more than 1,400 Targetti luminaires installed throughout the building exterior and interior passenger areas.

DART MEDIUM provide focused illumination where a small visual footprint was required.

Compact Precision. Exceptional Performance.

Designed to disappear into the architecture while delivering exceptional optical control, DART provides high-performance accent lighting in a remarkably compact form. Its clean geometry and precision-engineered optics allow designers to highlight architectural features with minimal visual distraction, making it ideal for large public environments where visual comfort is essential.

For San Diego International Airport Terminal 1, DART luminaires provide consistent, glare-controlled illumination that enhances circulation areas and architectural details while supporting the terminal’s warm, welcoming atmosphere.

DART luminaires provide powerful, controlled illumination within a compact architectural form. A total of 717pcs of DART MEDIUM fixtures were installed with 3000K color temperature, Wide Flood optics, and a Marine Grade finish. The marine-grade treatment supports long-term durability in San Diego’s coastal environment, providing enhanced resistance to corrosion and weather exposure.

Together, the DART luminaires reinforce architectural features while maintaining consistent light quality throughout the project.

DART MEDIUM

Quiet Visual Comfort with Cutting Edge Optics.

HLB Lighting Design developed an integrated daylighting strategy that prioritizes visual comfort, passenger wellness, and energy performance. High-performance lighting systems work in harmony with abundant daylight to create comfortable, glare-controlled spaces throughout the terminal while supporting the project’s sustainability objectives and pursuit of LEED Gold certification.

Airport environments demand lighting solutions that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The lighting needed to create an intuitive passenger experience, provide exceptional visual comfort for travelers spending extended periods indoors and highlight architectural features without creating glare. The design team specified a cohesive lighting system that performs equally well from curbside arrival through the passenger journey. They needed to support retail and concession areas with balanced accent lighting and deliver high reliability with minimal maintenance.

The HLB lighting design team selected Targetti's ZENO MEDIUM track luminaires to provide adaptable accent lighting across the concession areas, circulation spaces, and to highlight architectural features throughout the space. ZENO MEDIUM Track luminaires with a Medium Wide Flood optic in 3500K are located throughout the terminal and baggage claim areas.

To support the flexibility required throughout the terminal, the project features 2,308 linear feet of custom 277V track. This particular track system that coordinates with the ZENO luminaire is specifically designed for continuous long distance run lengths. The custom track system enables flexible fixture placement while supporting future tenant changes, evolving retail environments, and long-term operational adaptability without compromising architectural aesthetics. The custom 277V configuration supports the project's electrical infrastructure while delivering excellent beam control and color consistency across diverse applications.

ZENO MEDIUM

The track lighting provided a clean, visually quiet solution that integrates seamlessly into the architecture. The soft, rounded form of the luminaires and precise light distribution allowed us to highlight key spaces while maintaining an open, welcoming environment for travelers.

Tina Aghassian Senior Principal, HLB Lighting Design

This project features more than 666pcs of ZENO MEDIUM luminaires installed throughout the building interior passenger areas. To support the lighting system, the project incorporates over 2,308 linear feet of custom 277V track. Engineered for extended continuous runs, the custom track system provides exceptional installation flexibility while accommodating the large-scale open terminal environment. This infrastructure allows for future adaptability as tenant spaces or airport programming evolve.

The white finish allows fixtures to visually disappear into lighter ceiling conditions, emphasizing the illuminated architecture rather than the luminaire itself. The black finish was selected where darker ceiling conditions or architectural contrast called for a more integrated appearance.

ZENO MEDIUM