San Francisco is known for its rich culture, natural and built environments, and the way it leaves people wanting more every time they visit. That's why, when it came time to redesign the Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the desire was a custom design that makes every layover feel like 'home.'
Bentley has sustained a long and healthy relationship with SFO; Bentley products were installed in the International Terminal for 15 consecutive years. After the 15-year life, the product still looked new. When replacing the carpet to achieve a new overall terminal aesthetic, Mauricio Avella, SFO architect, said 'I wish I had never pulled the Bentley out of the terminal. I got 15 years of life out of it, and now I am only getting 3-5 years with competitive products.'
SFO sees over 51 million travelers annually. The Gensler and Woods Bagot design teams knew any flooring options would need to stand up to peak performance, aesthetic, and sustainable standards. These standards were so exceptional, that the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 would be awarded the Prix Versailles award for the 'World's Most Beautiful Airport' in December 2025.
Every custom design process begins with inspiration. Tasked with inviting each traveler into the Bay Area's culture and environment to experience the edge of land, air and sea, the design teams drew inspiration from the region's natural environments. Local minerals and spices in particular informed the product's pattern, texture and color palette. Numerous colorways were created, with some variations having more golds, while others had more hints of paprika.
The demand for sustainable solutions in San Francisco is high. A consideration from the jury when awarding the Prix Versailles award was the terminal's 79% reduction in carbon emissions and 59% decrease in energy usage. Achieving this reduction also required partners whose practices and products were committed to the same sustainable principles.
Operating a LEED EB Gold O+M manufacturing facility and exceeding the requirements of California manufacturing, Bentley takes a step ahead to maintain sustainable manufacturing and products. All Bentley carpet is made with premium fiber and backing solutions in order to offer a lower cost of ownership, ease of maintenance and a longer life cycle.
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