Designed by SOM’s Chicago and New York offices and completed in 1981, the Haj Terminal becomes a temporary city for pilgrims who arrive by air and await transportation to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah during the annual six-week Haj season. SOM created a series of tent-like structures which shelter up to 80,000 pilgrims at a time. The award, recognizing architectural design of enduring significance, is conferred on projects that have stood the test of time for 25 to 35 years as an embodiment of architectural excellence. The award jury commented: “This project exemplifies the power of a clear idea. The architects created a highly sustainable project well ahead of the green movement. The terminal presents a sense of place, ecology, economy of means, and culture - not imposing on but learning from the local culture and environment.” The 120-acre terminal consists of two identical roofed halves separated by a landscaped central mall. The first half of the terminal contains air-conditioned buildings while the second half is a vast, open-sided temperate waiting and support area. Nearly 40 million travelers have passed through the Haj Terminal over the years. The terminal has also received a 1983 AIA National Honor Award, the 1983 Aga Khan Award for Architecture and a 1981 Progressive Architecture award.