With a population of more than 120,000 people, Concord, California, is a major regional suburban city within the San Francisco Bay Area. The city’s current economic development strategy highlights growth opportunities in sectors such as health care, construction, clean energy, and innovation-oriented industries.
Buchanan Field Airport, run by Contra Costa County, plays an important role in that equation. The airport offers access to Bay Area transportation and business centers, emergency response services, and aviation amenities that serve the broader community. Contra Costa County’s planning team recognized that growing business activity, residential development and economic expansion in the region are placing greater demands on its airport facilities.
The Buchanan Field Airport’s new administration building, built at 181 John Glenn Drive in Concord, was supported by multiple federal and state grants. The new facility, just under 18,000 square feet, brings together multiple aircraft rescue and firefighting bays, a state-of-the-art general aviation terminal, and administration offices for the Contra Costa County Public Works Airports Division.
To help achieve the project’s architectural and performance goals, architect KPA Group selected Kingspan’s insulated metal panels (IMPs) for the building envelope. Over 9,000 square feet of Kingspan Designwall 2000 panels in the colors Sandstone and Zinc Gray gave the team flexibility to create a clean, contemporary exterior suited to a public-facing airport facility. The combination of horizontal and vertical panel applications adds visual rhythm to the façade while reinforcing the building’s modern civic character.
The building envelope also needed to support the operational demands of a high-use airport facility. The robust construction of these IMPs ensures long-term performance with minimal maintenance, helping the building maintain its visual appeal and structural integrity for years to come. This level of durability was essential for a project of this scale, where both the functionality and longevity of the building would be critical to supporting Buchanan Field’s future growth and ongoing service to the region.
They are also engineered to withstand the rigors of the demanding airport environment. They are resistant to corrosion, weathering and physical wear, making them ideal for high-traffic areas exposed to both passenger foot traffic and aviation operations.
With high R-values, Designwall 2000 helps maximize thermal efficiency while creating a double barrier against air and water penetration. For a building that combines passenger processing, airport administration and emergency response functions, that all-in-one performance made these panels a strong fit.
As Concord continues to position itself for long-term economic growth, infrastructure that supports business access, regional connectivity and public services is becoming increasingly important. Now complete, this facility gives Buchanan Field Airport a modern front door that reflects the airport’s evolving role in the San Francisco Bay Area. By bringing passenger terminal and administrative functions together in one facility, the project strengthens day-to-day operations while helping Buchanan Field continue serving a region focused on growth, connectivity and long-term investment in infrastructure.