Southwest Oregon Regional Airport board members and other dignitaries take a tour of the airport terminal under construction in North Bend in December. Above, is the front of the building which will allow the public to watch as planes land and take off. - World Photo by Madeline Steege

NORTH BEND — Rolling sand dunes, curling waves and a stand of Douglas fir.

If architects from Zimmer Gunsul Frasca in Portland achieve what they hoped for that’s what people will see through squinted eyes, when looking at the new terminal at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.

The exterior of the south walls will be covered with stainless steel shingles that have been dipped in a chemical bath, giving them changing colors ranging from purple to greenish-yellow. The north side will almost be solid windows, showcasing sights of Coos Bay, the North Spit and McCullough Bridge. The roof was designed to curve like the dunes or the waves. Inside, the ceiling will be constructed of Douglas fir beams.

“We did a lot of research of the area and what it’s about,” said Kristina Thomsen, a Zimmer Gunsul Frasca design team member who’s been with the company for three years. “(The terminal) kind of mimics this area and the shipping that goes on here as well. A bunch of things all went into designing this building.

“It’s going to be beautiful. It’s my baby,” she said.

About 20 people, including Rep. Wayne Krieger and former Sen. Ken Messerle, several members of the design and construction teams and district commissioners recently toured the terminal.

Architect Bob Zimmerman said the 32,000-square-foot building will be made of concrete, steel and heavy timber. He led members of the group, each wearing a yellow hard hat and safety glasses, into the interior of the lower floor where the lobby, ticket counter,  baggage and security check areas will be.

“Douglas fir is way stronger than any other local softwood,” he said, pointing to the ceiling made up of rows upon rows of the light-colored wood. “It ties back to the local tradition.”

The timber was coated with a thin sealer that’s water-based so it won’t darken as quickly as if it was uncoated or if it had oil-based sealer, Zimmerman said.

“I think it’s going to be really nice, having the natural wood,” Krieger said. “It’s been a big part of our community.”

Citing the potential for growth in the Bay Area, the community college and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Krieger said he thinks there is a big need for the $17-million terminal.

“They’re going to want to bring more companies here, more job opportunities too,” Krieger said. “Once they have their infrastructure here, you’re going to see more and more people come here.”

Messerle agreed.

“It is much needed and a great asset to the community, and built for future growth, too,” Messerle said. “With the demand and all the progress we’ve seen with Bandon Dunes, I think it’s going to be well used.”

With the opening of the terminal planned for June, Coos County Airport District commissioners have to decide what to do with the old terminal.

“(Commissioners) need to decide whether it will be a multi-unit or single lease,” airport district Executive Director Gary LeTellier said.

“We got 50 years out of the last one,” he added. “We’ll probably get more than 50 years out of this one. It’s going to be a nice facility.”

The group climbed a tall spiraling set of metal stairs, ducking to enter what will be the airport administration offices. The stairs will be gone once the building is up and running, and a passenger and freight elevator are installed, said engineer Cliff Newton, project manager with Heery International Inc.

Thomsen showed the district’s Executive Assistant, Johanna Warner, where her new office will be. A section was tarped off where workers were experimenting with the coating on the wood.

Outside, workers were applying primer for a black membrane to keep the walls dry beneath the shingles. When finished, the north side will have conveyer belts and a bomb detection work area, for baggage that’s being moved to and from the airplanes.

“It’s fabulous to see,” Krieger said. “It’s been a long road to get here. Wow!”