Glass-manufacturing firm View is set to install smart windows in the new 350,000ft² Terminal 5 expansion at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in the US.

As part of an $8.5bn project, the expansion of the terminal will upgrade the airport.

After the completion of the expansion, Terminal 5 will accommodate Delta Air Lines (DAL) in Chicago.

Furthermore, these smart windows decrease energy consumption by minimising the need for cooling.

Every View installation includes a cloud-connected smart building platform that can easily be extended to improve indoor cellular coverage, enhance building security and reimagine the occupant experience.

The new terminal will be designed in the form of an aircraft wing and consist of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering expansive runway view and increased natural light.

It is being designed by the architecture companies HOK and Muller2.

Ten additional gates will increase the capacity of the terminal by 25%.

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) commissioner Jamie Rhee said: “As more people return to the skies, transforming airports from kerb to gate to be comfortable, healthy and efficient will be key to instilling confidence in travellers.

“Incorporating View’s state-of-the-art, smart windows in Terminal 5 will help us provide an exceptional passenger experience while also making the airport more efficient and reducing our energy usage.”

A study was also conducted to check smart window efficacy, where passengers rated a lobby with View Smart Windows as 33% more efficient and comfortable in comparison with traditional windows.

View chief business officer Rahul Bammi said: “Airports are adopting View Smart Windows at an accelerating pace as they seek to elevate the passenger experience and also reduce their carbon footprint.

“Modern airport designs often feature multi-storey glass façades. However, traditional glass can cause significant passenger discomfort through increased glare and heat. View Smart Windows solve this problem, enhancing people’s comfort and experience while also improving the airport’s energy efficiency.”

View Smart Windows have been deployed at numerous airports, such as Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW) and more.