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For weary travelers returning to Portland, the carpet at Portland International Airport is a sign that they have returned safely home.

A project to replace the carpet, along with related work, turned into a highly visible job for general contractor Emerick Construction. The $8.4 million project included complete removal and replacement of 14.6 acres of custom-made broadloom carpet; the replacement of terrazzo flooring in two concourses; and extensive removal of wallpaper, followed by patching and repainting.

The iconic impression of the old carpet design was kept in mind. Hennebery Eddy Architects worked with Port of Portland officials to design unique colors and patterns that would echo the old carpet to give PDX travelers both visual and physical comfort.

Project challenges included a narrow window for work, with no room for error. In addition, security, safety and logistics were areas of special focus for the project team.

Sustainabilty played a key role in the project. Careful planning led to effective disposal of all 235 tons of the old material. Thirty percent was repurposed on several other projects including the renovation of a 100-year-old JC Penny in Hood River, a Portland high school, a community center, Portland International Raceway, and Habitat for Humanity projects. The remainder was turned into carpet pad.

Waste swaths of new carpet greater than two feet in width were retained to make area rugs or for similar future use.  Even the cardboard tubes and wood pallets were recycled or reused.

The project was finished a full month ahead of schedule and nearly $1 million under budget.

Project Team + Stats

Location: Portland, Oregon

Cost: $8.394 million

Start date: January 2015

Completion date: November 2015

Owner/developer: Port of Portland

Architect: Hennebery Eddy Architects

General contractor: Emerick Construction