She shouldn’t be surprised.

Kansas City’s always been blessed with an abundance of power and light—even more so now as it touts its prismatic and polished new terminal that’s finally taking a bow after several years of careful planning and development.

From start to finish, literally thousands of people have helped produce this $1.5 billion jewel investment, undoubtedly the largest single infrastructure project in Kansas City history. The designers, builders, craftspeople and artists—all forward-thinkers—contributed to a public project that’s as efficient as it is beautiful.

According to the principal architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), a driving force behind the design is a commitment to giving passengers an easy journey.

The simple, I-shaped building design yields two levels—one for departures and one for arrival—all meant to reduce traveler confusion.Check-in and security are housed in the upper level’s expansive departure lobby.

Situated on the lower level: baggage claims, customs and an outdoor public garden.

“Once cleared through security, two parallel concourses with retail at the center are linked by a pedestrian passage. All post-security spaces are on the same level—a design move that creates an easier journey for all passengers,” the architects state.