Maury County Regional Airport Terminal

Project Statement

The 5,463 s.f. building’s proximity to the airfield created significant constraints on its location, height, and overall massing, requiring careful coordination to meet the FAA’s required 7:1 setback for roof and building heights. Within these limitations, the Airport Board wanted a facility that reflected the character, history, and architectural traditions of the surrounding antebellum homes which we provided in the interior of the building.

We designed the terminal as an exploration of the area’s history, centered around a prominent interior gathering rotunda featuring towering Corinthian columns, a regional map, and a history wall (in progress) highlighting the surrounding communities. Tennessee-inspired elements and the County logo were incorporated throughout the design, creating a recognizable and welcoming local landmark.

The terminal was also designed to serve the airport’s unique mix of travelers. With corporate groups, business executives, and musicians frequently arriving by private aircraft, the facility provides dedicated private pilot and passenger lounges. Exterior pet-run areas were also incorporated to accommodate four-legged travelers, adding a thoughtful amenity for both private and general aviation users.

The exterior combines modern and traditional architectural references with a distinct terminal character and durable materials, creating a memorable gateway for Mount Pleasant and the surrounding region. Building orientation, glazing, and material selection were carefully considered to minimize glare and comply with airfield lighting limitations.

The rotunda also serves as an architectural hinge, connecting the current terminal to a future Phase Two expansion intended to accommodate additional community and local-use functions. This creates an opportunity for the airport to become more than a transportation facility, providing a gathering place that can grow with the surrounding community.

As the project budget was reduced due to grant funding limitations and FAA requirements, we worked closely with Doster to prioritize the Airport Board’s most important needs while preserving the architectural character and overall vision. The design was intentionally planned for future phases, allowing additional amenities and spaces to be added as funding becomes available without compromising the integrity of the original design.

The primary goal was to create a distinctive new airport terminal that would meet the functional needs of a growing regional airport while establishing a strong sense of place for Mount Pleasant and Maury County. The project was shaped by significant FAA constraints, including the required 7:1 setback for building and roof heights, airfield lighting limitations, and restrictions on glare. Rather than compromising the architecture, these requirements became integral to the design process, informing the building’s orientation, massing, roof forms, glazing, and material selection.

The design responds to the character and history of the region through a contemporary interpretation of its antebellum architectural traditions. A central gathering rotunda with towering Corinthian columns, a regional map, history wall, Tennessee-inspired elements, and the County logo creates a memorable arrival experience and establishes the terminal as a civic gateway rather than simply a transportation facility.

The project also responds directly to the airport’s unique users. Corporate groups, business travelers, and musicians frequently arrive by private aircraft, resulting in dedicated pilot and passenger lounges. Exterior pet-run areas provide an additional amenity for travelers and their pets, reflecting a deliberate focus on the specific needs of the airport’s users.

Sustainable design was addressed through the building’s response to its environment and long-term use. Orientation, glazing, and material selection were carefully considered to reduce glare, respond to solar exposure, and meet airfield requirements. Durable materials support long-term performance and reduce maintenance demands. The building was also planned for future expansion, allowing additional community and airport functions to be added as funding becomes available without compromising the original facility.

Limited grant funding required the team to carefully prioritize the Airport Board’s goals and maximize the value of the initial investment. The central rotunda was intentionally designed as the hinge to a future Phase Two expansion, allowing the facility to evolve over time. The result is a terminal that balances aviation requirements, local identity, user experience, sustainability, budget, and long-term adaptability within a highly constrained site.


Integration: \n The terminal seamlessly integrates architecture, function, site, and airfield to create a cohesive experience from arrival through departure. Building massing, roof forms, natural light, glazing, materials, and exterior landscape were carefully coordinated so that the architectural expression reinforces the building’s function and performance.

The interior organization provides intuitive circulation and clear orientation, while the relationship between the building and surrounding landscape creates a strong connection to the hills and active airfield. Functional aesthetics are expressed through elements that do more than define the building’s character—they support wayfinding, passenger comfort, daylighting, visual connection, durability, and long-term performance.

The result is a terminal where form and function work together to create an efficient, welcoming, and highly responsive environment for travelers, visitors, and the community.


Discovery: \n The airport lobby and gathering hall were conceived as places of discovery, bringing together the history, character, and future of Mount Pleasant and Maury County. The rotunda provides a contemporary interpretation of the region’s historic architecture while incorporating opportunities for visitors to learn about the people, places, and events that shaped the community.

Historic information, regional references, and architectural details encourage visitors to pause and explore rather than simply pass through. Expansive openings to the airfield extend this experience beyond the building, allowing visitors to engage with the constant movement of arriving and departing aircraft.

Together, the historic narrative and views to the airfield create a lobby that serves as more than a point of arrival—it becomes a place to discover where the County has been, where it is today, and where it is going.


Well-Being: \n The terminal prioritizes the well-being of its users by creating an environment that is welcoming, comfortable, and connected to its surroundings. Abundant natural light enters through expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing, creating a bright and uplifting interior while providing views across the airfield to the rolling hills beyond.

The main gathering hall provides a spacious environment for travelers and visitors to pause, gather, and relax. The design balances the activity and movement of an airport with areas that offer comfort and respite, creating a sense of openness and calm.

Natural light, views, comfortable gathering spaces, and connections to the surrounding landscape support physical, emotional, and social well-being. Rather than simply moving people through the terminal, the design encourages them to pause, connect, and experience a genuine sense of place.