October 17th, 2026
Praful Kulkarni Led Team Takes Hollywood Glamour to the Skies at Burbank Airport
IITKGP Foundation
A $1.3 billion terminal blends aviation safety, innovative design and the magic of Hollywood, marking a major achievement for IIT Kharagpur alumnus Praful Kulkarni and his team.
On October 13, 2026, Hollywood Burbank Airport ushered in a new era as its long-awaited passenger terminal welcomed its first travelers. Behind this transformation is the leadership of Praful M. Kulkarni (1974/B.Arch), an IIT Kharagpur alumnus and a senior leader at CannonDesign, whose team collaborated with architecture firm Corgan to help bring the ambitious project to life.
The nearly $1.3 billion development replaces the airport’s aging 1930s-era terminal, a beloved but outdated facility that no longer met modern Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. For Kulkarni, whose career has focused on bringing architecture, engineering and construction together, the project represents a powerful example of how collaborative leadership can turn a complex infrastructure challenge into a distinctive public space.
The new terminal, known as Elevate BUR, spans approximately 355,000 square feet. Its location farther from the runways addresses the critical safety concerns associated with the old facility, while its consolidated layout, modern passenger amenities and improved accessibility bring the airport into a new era. The project retains Burbank’s reputation for convenience and efficiency, with 14 gates and short walking distances to flights.
But safety and functionality are only part of the story. In a city synonymous with filmmaking, the new terminal also captures the magic of Hollywood. The design concept selected for the project, called “The Icon,” celebrates the region’s entertainment heritage. A sweeping silver canopy evokes the silver screen, while a distinctive ceiling pattern draws inspiration from Marilyn Monroe’s famous rhinestone dress. Natural light, contemporary art and carefully considered interiors give the terminal a sense of glamour without sacrificing the simplicity that travelers have long valued at Burbank.
CannonDesign’s joint design team with Corgan developed a solution rooted in the character and history of the surrounding communities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Kulkarni served as the team’s client leader, helping bring together the design vision and the practical demands of a major airport redevelopment. His role reflects a leadership philosophy he has championed throughout his career: successful projects emerge when designers, builders, owners and other partners work collaboratively from the outset.
That philosophy has deep roots. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture at IIT Kharagpur, Kulkarni pursued a Master of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA at Pepperdine University. In 1991, he founded gkkworks to pursue an integrated approach to design and construction—one that challenged the traditional separation between the two disciplines. The firm gained national recognition before merging with CannonDesign in 2018, extending his approach to a broader range of complex projects.
Kulkarni has also helped shape the industry beyond individual projects, serving as national chair of the Design-Build Institute of America and advocating for delivery models that emphasize collaboration, innovation and accountability. In 2025, he was elevated to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows, one of the profession’s highest honors.
The opening of Hollywood Burbank Airport’s new terminal is a fitting milestone in that career. It demonstrates how a project can address an urgent public need while creating a welcoming experience shaped by local identity. For passengers, the result is a safer, more spacious and more contemporary gateway to Southern California. For Burbank, it is an investment in the future that honors the community’s distinctive past.
As the first flights arrived and departed from the new terminal on opening day, Kulkarni’s work stood as a reminder that great leadership is not simply about designing a building. And for IIT Kharagpur alumni, it is an opportunity to celebrate one of their own: an architect and industry leader whose vision, collaborative spirit and commitment to integrated project delivery helped turn a complex undertaking into a landmark achievement.