Auburn, Alabama
Auburn University Regional Airport Terminal
25,000 square feet
For many visitors to the Auburn-Opelika area, the Auburn University Regional Airport (AURA) serves as the community’s welcome center.
The AURA terminal provides not only general aviation services but also meeting space for community groups, lease space for aviation related businesses and offices for Auburn University functions. The two-story, 25,000-square-foot facility has become a hub of activity in the metro area and helped drive economic development in Lee County. The design team worked not only with Auburn University but also the Airport Development Board and the mayors of Auburn and Opelika to develop a contemporary building to be the “front door” for the community.
The exposed structure and curved roof shape of the central atrium is inspired by the aero-dynamic engineering of an aircraft wing. The AURA is a state-of-the-art aviation center and has amenities for travelers and pilots that include a pilots’ lounge, flight planning center and quiet rooms. The terminals conference room is available to community groups for meetings and a second floor “porch” off of the main lobby has become a popular place for plane watching.
