Bradley International Airport

As part of the Terminal A expansion at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, just outside Hartford, a new architectural screen was introduced along the roadway-facing elevation to create a distinctive visual identity for arriving passengers. 

The renovation modernized key areas of the terminal, including ticketing, lobby spaces, and passenger circulation, while enhancing the airport’s public-facing architecture.

Designed by Fennick McCredie Architecture and constructed by Suffolk Construction, the project included a large perforated metal screen that spans a prominent portion of the terminal facade near the passenger drop-off area. The screen was fabricated using Zahner’s ImageWall® perforated metal panel system, in collaboration with installer Chandler Architectural Products.

The ImageWall facade features painted aluminum panels finished in a “Sunshine Silver” color, perforated to create a four-tone image across the wall depicting a stylized forest landscape. Zahner worked closely with the designers to refine the perforation densities, ensuring the graphic would read clearly at scale while remaining compatible with fabrication constraints. The resulting pattern creates a layered visual effect that shifts depending on viewing distance and lighting conditions.

Zahner also fabricated solid aluminum wrap panels used to clad the supporting steel elements behind the screen. These panels add depth to the installation and conceal structural framing while maintaining the continuity of the facade system. A full-scale mockup was produced during the fabrication process to verify the pattern, finish, and lighting integration.

The perforated screen and wrapped elements create a calming sculptural facade that greets travelers approaching the terminal while also filtering views from the interior ticketing areas.