Award recognizes innovative redesign of one of the airport’s most-used amenities
Oakland, Calif. – April 27, 2026: Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) has been named the recipient of Airport Business News’ 2026 Project of the Year for its Terminal Restroom Renovation Program, Phase 1. The award recognizes the airport’s achievement in transforming aging restroom facilities into a modern, accessible, and hospitality-inspired passenger experience while maintaining full terminal operations.
“Restrooms are one of the most frequently used spaces in an airport, and they strongly influence how travelers perceive their entire journey,” said Craig Simon, Director of Aviation, Port of Oakland. “This award reflects our team’s commitment to approaching essential infrastructure with intention, collaboration, and a focus on what passengers truly need.”
Phase 1 of the restroom renovation program delivered upgraded facilities at Gates 3, 4, and 7 in Terminal 1. Improvements included spacious ADA-compliant stalls, LED stall occupancy indicators, centralized hands-free sink areas, improved lighting, and sound-absorbing materials. These elements were integrated into the design to create a brighter, calmer, and more intuitive experience for travelers.
Delivering the restroom project within an active terminal presented significant challenges, including undocumented utilities and aging infrastructure uncovered during demolition. The Port of Oakland, in collaboration with HNTB and Webcor Construction, overcame these challenges through real-time problem solving, early constructability reviews, and a transparent, solutions-focused delivery approach that preserved design intent and operational continuity.
Airport Business News recognized the restroom project for its design excellence, operational ingenuity, collaborative delivery, and immediate impact on passenger satisfaction and maintenance efficiency. The success of Phase 1 also laid the groundwork for future phases that will bring a consistent, high-quality restroom experience throughout OAK’s terminals.
Work is currently underway on Phase 2 of the project. Photos of OAK’s new restrooms opened under Phase 1 are available here.