Pittsburgh International Airport Reaches Major Milestone With Patrick Marold’s Giant Steel Open Columns Installation Creating a Breathtaking New Gateway for Global Travellers

Image generated with Ai

The final artwork in a major public art transformation at Pittsburgh International Airport has now been installed, completing a significant milestone for the airport’s new terminal Art in the Airport initiative.

Created by artist Patrick Marold, Open Columns features three towering steel structures positioned in the space between the Terminal Garage and the new terminal. The sculptural columns rise between 20 and 40 feet above the ground, creating a striking visual connection between architecture, art and the surrounding environment.

Visitors can step inside the columns and look upward through the open structures, where reflective metal bands create changing patterns of light and movement. The design allows the artwork to blend with the sky, producing an immersive experience where the boundaries between the sculpture and atmosphere appear to disappear. The installation completes the airport’s expanding collection of public artworks designed to enhance the passenger journey and create a memorable sense of place.

“It’s exciting to have an installation at Pittsburgh International Airport,” Marold said during the installation last week. “It is exciting to be part of an airport just completing major (construction).”

Pittsburgh International Airport’s latest art addition represents far more than a decorative feature. Open Columns has become a lasting symbol of connection, welcome and discovery. Following the opening of the airport’s new terminal in November 2025, the installation strengthens the airport’s role beyond aviation by transforming it into a cultural gateway that introduces millions of visitors to the region’s creative heritage and artistic identity.

The unveiling of Open Columns is part of a broader, multi-year vision to weave art seamlessly into the architecture and passenger experience of the new terminal. Pittsburgh International Airport collaborated with artists from across the globe to develop unique, site-specific artworks that reflect the region’s history, innovation and cultural character. A total of 16 new artists were commissioned for the terminal project, with each contribution designed to create a stronger connection between travellers and the spirit of Pittsburgh.

The artwork’s distinctive columns are crafted from weathering steel and stainless steel, materials deeply linked to the industrial history of the region. Weathering steel, commonly known as Corten steel, has played an important role in Pittsburgh’s architectural landscape for more than a century and has been featured in prominent structures, including the iconic U.S. Steel Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Together, the columns represent different viewpoints and journeys while capturing the colours, shapes and textures that define the surrounding landscape. The installation reflects Pittsburgh’s longstanding influence in manufacturing, engineering, construction and technology, while celebrating the city’s continued evolution as a hub of creativity and innovation.

According to the airport’s Arts and Culture Manager, Keny Marshall, Open Columns reflects the terminal’s wider design philosophy known as NaTeCo (Nature, Technology and Community). The concept has guided the development of the new terminal, ensuring that natural elements, technological progress and community identity are represented throughout the airport environment.

“Open Columns’ use of weathering steel and highly polished stainless steel brings the region’s history and technology together in a reflective space. The new terminal is a destination for travelers and the community,” Marshall said.

As travellers and airport visitors move beneath Open Columns, they experience the final expression of a long-developed creative vision, where public art and modern infrastructure blend seamlessly. The installation transforms the airport journey into a memorable experience, ensuring that every arrival and departure from Pittsburgh begins with a sense of discovery and inspiration.

The artwork marks Marold’s fourth airport installation, reflecting his continued passion for creating large-scale pieces that enhance travel spaces and connect passengers with meaningful artistic experiences.

“Air travel is so inspiring and something I really enjoy,” he said. “I try to get a window seat to enjoy the changing terrain below. Looking through the columns is like looking out of an airplane window, and I hope it gives the person the same kind of wonder I get when I look out of an airplane window.”

Further enhancing the airport’s cultural identity through its new terminal development, the airport has introduced a collection of permanent artworks created specifically for its expanding public art programme. The Art in the Airport initiative has been designed as a unique feature of the passenger journey, with installations displayed across 30 different locations throughout the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) campus. A majority of these artworks have been developed by talented artists and craftspeople from the Pittsburgh region, highlighting the area’s creative strength.

The latest additions form part of a wider commitment to making art an essential element of the airport environment as it continues to modernise. Featuring major installations, interactive pieces and carefully selected exhibitions, the expanded collection celebrates the region’s rich industrial legacy while showcasing its growing reputation as a hub for innovation, creativity and contemporary design.

By intentionally collaborating with local artists and artisans, PIT has created an airport experience that represents the spirit of Pittsburgh itself. The vision behind the programme is to create a destination that is shaped by the community, reflects local culture and introduces travellers to the character, history and artistic energy of the region from the moment they arrive.

Artist Marold has spent more than two decades exploring the relationship between art, landscape and the built environment, creating works that help people connect with and navigate physical spaces. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the Rhode Island School of Design, his artistic practice continued to focus on natural environments and large-scale public installations. His portfolio includes several internationally recognised projects, including the seven-acre Shadow Array installation at Denver International Airport and Solar Drones, a sky and sound artwork located at the Canada’s National Music Centre.