In a trailblazing achievement, Houston Airports has clinched the prestigious Gold Award in the Silk, Replica, and Preserved category at the 2024 Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE). The winning submission celebrates the stunning Green Wall at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), which was unveiled to airport guests in January 2023. The captivating 2,240 square foot wall along the HOU Arrivals curb has become an iconic and welcoming feature for passengers who’ve just arrived in Space City. Custom artificial greenery captures the Houston skyline and symbols synonymous with H-Town, like a space shuttle.

“This win is the culmination of teamwork and passion shared across multiple divisions of Houston Airports,” said Liliana Rambo, Chief Terminal Management Officer for Houston Airports. “The airport guest serves as our compass. So, when we saw opportunity to enhance the guest experience along Hobby Airport’s Arrivals Curb, team members across multiple Houston Airports divisions stepped in with the innovative ideas and excitement needed to create a moment unique to Houston.” 

The success of the Green Wall is the result of a year-long collaborative effort among the Operations, Terminal Management, and Maintenance divisions at Houston Airports. Monica Horvath, Division Manager of HOU Landside Operations, initiated the project in 2021 when she approached Wendy Kirby-DeCordova with the idea of enhancing the appeal of the Arrivals curb. Kirby-DeCordova then worked with Scott Hill, Director of Maintenance to begin dreaming up potential solutions. 

“As they say, teamwork makes the dream work all day long and together we have different strengths,” said Scott Hill, Director of Maintenance for Houston AIrports. “When Houston Airports comes together, the dream can reach new heights. There's nothing better than supporting each other for the benefit of the airport guest.” 

The Arrivals curb is one level below the Departures curb and main entrance of Hobby Airport, which creates challenges like lack of natural light and dust.  Houston Airports contracted Ambius to design the wall, which is made from specially sourced artificial plants and called a ‘replica wall’, is made to withstand the curb’s unique environment. The meticulous installation process, which spanned four days of overnight work in late 2022, culminated in a visually stunning Green Wall. 

“I watch people taking selfies along the wall in one of their first moments in Houston,” said Wendy Kirby-DeCordova, Division Manager of Maintenance for Houston Airports. “There is so much pride in watching airport guests positively engage with our hard work. We created something wonderful that airport guests are going to enjoy. I wouldn’t be surprised if people made a trip to Hobby Airport just to take in the Green Wall!” 

When it comes to viewing the Green Wall, the public now has options. A similar wall measuring 1,100 square feet, was unveiled along the Terminal A Arrivals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in late 2023. It features the words ‘Welcome to Houston’ along with iconic images of Houston. 

“We're innovating here,” said Kirby-DeCordova. “The Green Walls capture the history of Houston in a unique and meaningful way.” 

Hobby Airport is the first airport in the United States to feature a replica wall. Other airports are now working to create their own green wall, according to Andrea Alvarez with Ambius, which submitted Hobby Airport’s Green Wall for consider of the 2024 TPIE Gold Award. 

“Our work continues. We’re now working with Houston Airports to projects inside the airport,” said Andrea Alvarez with Ambius. “We are considering Moss Walls or other replica walls as we endeavor to elevate the guest experience at Bush and Hobby airports.”

Hobby Airport is the first and only 5-Star Skytrax airport in North America. In 2023, passengers voted Hobby Airport the ‘Most Enjoyable Airport in North America.’ The airport now boasts a TPIE Gold Award for its trailblazing replica wall that now stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation and the guest-centric culture of Houston Airports. 

“I wanted all of us to be proud of this. This is our wall. This is our work,” said Kirby-DeCordova as she reflected on the teamwork needed to make the Green Wall possible. “These are our ideas and vision. We're all part of this, each of us. We are Houston Airports.”