The HOK-designed Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport was the first designed with new security protocols following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The $1.2 billion terminal earned 777 points – the most of any airport surveyed – in accessibility, baggage claim, check-in and baggage check-in process, terminal facilities, ease of security checks, and food and retail services.

The terminal, which debuted in 2008, was the first designed with new security protocols following the 9/11 terrorist attack.

“We found that Indianapolis ranked highest in both the small category of airports with fewer than 10 million passengers a year and also highest overall in the entire study. And that’s up from a tie for 13th in the previous study two years ago,” said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of global hospitality for J.D. Power.

In designing the new terminal, HOK responded to passenger needs to travel at a convenient, unhurried pace while accommodating post-9/11 security necessities.

The first “greenfield” U.S. airport designed and constructed since 9/11, the terminal is also a showcase of sustainability. Discharge from fuel and deicing are controlled using bio swales populated with plants that consume hydrocarbons.

Detention ponds encourage growth of microorganisms that also consume airport discharge. In the terminal, filtered glass mitigates heat from solar gain while harvesting sunlight to reduce use of artificial lighting.

HOK served as design architect of the terminal, collaborating with Indianapolis-based AeroDesign Group.