Relief Airport:[Re] Incorporating Sense of Place and Wonder Into Airport Terminal Design

160 Pages·2012·12.94 MB·English

Relief Airport
[Re] Incorporating Sense of Place and Wonder
Into Airport Terminal Design
A thesis submitted to the Graduate School
of the University of Cincinnati
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of
Master of Architecture
in the School of Architecture
and Interior Design
of the College of Design, Architecture, Art
and Planning
by
Kirstin S. Farchaus
B.S., University of Maryland, 2009
Committee
First Chair: John Hancock
Second Chair: Jeffrey Tilman
Third Chair: Barry Stedman
Abstract
Over the past four decades, airports have been reduced to uninspired, highly sterile
and locally irrelevant people processing machines, which helped create the jaded, unengaged
mentality of today’s air traveler. This thesis proposes a new small satellite passenger terminal
as a study of experience in architecture, and investigates how design can rekindle the thrill
of airports and flying. Its Boston location will relieve Logan International Airport of the
majority of its small airline services, as well as its commuter, corporate and charter flights. The
design approach is based in studies of place, perception, and phenomenology; revealing the
unseen facets of airports in engaging ways; and creating a positive and memorable impact
on its occupants. A heightened sense of interaction with, and awareness and perception of,
one’s body and environment foster the new positive experience of the passengers and the
employees (as previously passive individuals) by engaging the body, its senses, and memories
with the place that is the building and the site.
The terminal design is specific to Boston in its character, features spaces that are at the
human scale, engaging and pleasing to the senses, soothing to the nerves and that exploit the
fascinating simultaneous dualities of the airport as they continuously converge: that it is both
transient and static, active and dormant, of the earth and the sky, and housing arrival and
departure. Through the explorations of this thesis, the airport becomes a part of the journey,
a place to explore, enjoy and spend time in without stress or aggravation, and is considered a
prelude or a conclusion to the adventure and wonder of flight.
2
3
Preface
I have always enjoyed travelling, and am especially enthusiastic about flying.
Having travelled to various parts of Europe and Australia, both with family and educational
programs, I have flown periodically for most of my life. However, it was always the
destinations that I was excited about, and truly had never given airports a second thought,
as is the case with the vast majority of all travelers. After arriving at the University of
Cincinnati, I was hired to intern at a firm in Melbourne, Australia. This opportunity was not
only a departure point for my life in general, it also saw me spending significant amounts of
time on airplanes and in various airports due to connections, customs, and baggage claims.
Through spending such extensive time in airports both domestically and abroad, I came to
the sad realization that were it not for signs, advertisements, and accents or languages of
people I heard around me, I wouldn’t know what country I was in. The international airport
in Sydney (SYD) was interchangeable with the one in Los Angeles (LAX)—both of them
massive, impersonal and sterile. Not only was there no sense of place with regard to the
physical location of the airport, I also came to understand exactly why everyone gave me
pitying looks when I mentioned how many layovers I had or how long I spent en route. In
my many layovers and delays, I became acutely aware of the fact that airport experiences
are by far the worst part of any trip. Not only are they uncomfortable and unpleasant for all
of a traveler’s senses, but it is nearly impossible to experience or even perceive anything but
their blunt functionality. Airports squelch any intimation of excitement of an impending
trip rather than building on it. They stick in our memories as negative, uncomfortable, dull,
or frantic experiences instead of as the fascinating convergence points of thousands, even
millions, of travelers.
From these realizations, I tried to remember all of the other airports I had recently
been through, both domestic and international, and realized that they all were shockingly
and undeniably interchangeable, and none provided any respite to the weary traveler. The
destination airport should not be an identical copy of the origin airport, and the experience
of air travel should not be uncomfortable and miserable, especially if one is traveling in the
“cattle class” of economy, as most people are. Through sensory stimulant perception, our
experiences become memories. Why then, when there is such ripe opportunity for positive
experience at airports, can’t they live in our memories as vital places? An airport can become
an oasis of travel, whether one flies very regularly or only once in a lifetime. Anxiety could
potentially be quite low in an airport: one isn’t driving, one doesn’t have responsibilities
outside of getting on the plane. So why are air passengers unable to just relax and enjoy the
ride? Perhaps with a new type of airport, they could.
Figures 1.1-3_ frustrated
people wait “trapped” in
today’s airports
4
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you is due...
to John Hancock for his steady guidance through the thesis process
to my friends and fellow MArch2s: your humor and friendship
helped me survive these past three years
to my wonderful and supportive family, for being there for me
through everything
and to Dan for his unending support and amazing pep talks, and for
always bringing a smile to my face.
5
Table of Contents
7.
List of Illustrations
14.
Introduction + Problem
17.
Background
30.
Theoretical Background
59.
Site Analysis
79.
Experiential Inventory
110.
Precedent Studies
131.
Design
152.
Conclusion
154.
Bibliography
List of Illustrations
1. Preface
1. http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/11/15/worst-airports-in-america-photos.html
2. ibid.
3. ibid.
2. Introduction
All photographs by the author. 2009-2012
3. Problem
All photographs by the author. 2009-2012
4. Background
1. http://www.wright-house.com/wright-brothers/wrights/1903.html (accessed 12 October 2011).
2. Gordon, Alastair. Naked Airport: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Revolutionary Structure. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press, 2004. Page 45.
3. Ibid. Page 35.
4. Ibid. Page 51.
5. Ibid. Page 46.
6. Ibid. Page 165
7. Ibid. Page 165.
8. Ibid. Page 171.
9. http://cruiselinehistory.com/airlines-history-the-stewardess-during-the-1960s-the-period-of-the-amc-award-
winning-mad-men-tv-series/ (accessed 9 April 2012).
10. http://www.doobybrain.com/2010/08/09/delta-to-demolish-the-panam-worldport-at-jfk-international-
airport/ (accessed 12 October 2011).
11. Gordon, Alastair. Naked Airport: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Revolutionary Structure. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press, 2004. Page 192.
12. Merkel, Jayne. Eero Saarinen. London: Phaidon Press, 2005. Page 229.
13. Photograph by the author, 2011.
14. Merkel, Jayne. Eero Saarinen. London: Phaidon Press, 2005. Page 204.
15. Ibid. Page 215.
16. http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4087342130/sizes/z/in/photostream (accessed 12 October
2011).
17. Gordon, Alastair. Naked Airport: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Revolutionary Structure. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press, 2004. Page 247.
18. Photograph by the author. 2010.
19. http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/12024_1_denver%20international1big.jpg (accessed 9
April 2012).
20. http://www.archdaily.com/157900/architecture-city-guide-madrid/%C2%A9-antonio-andabaka-madrid-
barajas-airport/ (accessed 13 October 2011).
21. http://www.tiptoptens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Beijing-Capital-International-Airport.jpg (accessed
12 October 2011).
22. Diagram by the author, featuring images as previous cited in Gordon, Alastair. Naked Airport. and http://www.
wright-house.com/wright-brothers/wrights/1903.html
23. http://www.rds-co.com/images/massport_logo.jpg (accessed 13 October 2011).
24. http://manmakehome.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/vals-6.jpg (accessed 22 March 2012).
25. http://nummynims.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/therme-vals-4.jpg (accessed 22 March 2012).
26. http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/1311729538_stairs/ (accessed 22 March 2012).
27. http://nummynims.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/therme-vals-3.jpg (accessed 22 March 2012).
7
5. Theory
1. Photograph courtesy of Luke Laverty.
2. Photograph by the author. 2010.
3. http://www.miladisplays.com/photowax/authenticity_seal.jpg
4. http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/flw/ (accessed 15 November 2011).
5. http://terry-uniqueplaces.blogspot.com/2010/07/fallingwater.html (accessed 15 November 2011).
6. http://www.personal.psu.edu/lkc5025/blogs/lauren_cullys_technical_writing/Falling_water_01.jpg (accessed
15 November 2011).
7. http://www.jbdesign.it/idesignpro/images/international%20style/netura%20kauffmann%20desert%20house.
jpg (accessed 15 November 2011).
8. http://www.siarsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Modern-and-Luxury-Kaufmann-Desert-House-
Design-Inspiration-3.jpg (accessed 15 November 2011).
9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/christopher-parkes/217381556/sizes/z/in/photostream/ (accessed 12 April
2012).
10. http://piccsy.com/2012/03/picc-654v1e1r5/
11. Diagram by the author, 2011. Featuring photographs by the author.
12. http://harpers.org/archive/2009/10/hbc-90005828 (accessed 10 January 2012).
13. http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/ (accessed 15 November 2011).
14. Ibid.
15. Ibid.
16. http://www.archdaily.com/91273/ad-classics-jewish-museum-berlin-daniel-libeskind/dsc_0180edit/ (accessed
12 April 2012).
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Diagram by the author, featuring image from http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-59055538/stock-vector-five-
senses-icons-controlled-controlled-by-brain-vector.html
20. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__WXokorbpQ0/SxGeVjzw8AI/AAAAAAAAAHw/ax7lMWphOSE/s1600/DSC_0019.
JPG (accessed 12 April 2012).
21. Hilary B. Price. Rhymes With Orange. http://www.rhymeswithorange.com/2011/09/September-04-2011/
(accessed 25 September 2011)
22. http://egardens.blogspot.com/2009/03/green-roofs-more.html (accessed 12 April 2012).
23. http://www.thesocialleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/meditation1.jpg
24. http://www.bullyscomics.blogspot.com/2008/11/love-actually-in-sorta-real-time-more.html (accessed 15
November 2011)
25. Ibid.
26. Ibid.
27. Ibid.
28. http://www.frumforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/airport-goodbye.jpg (accessed 15 November 2011)
29. http://taradaukas.blogspot.com/2010/01/theivery-airport-greetings.html (accessed 15 November 2011)
30. Photograph by the author, 2011.
31. Diagram by the author, 2011.
32. Collage of author’s tickets and tags, by the author 2011.
33. Photographs by the author, 2010.
34. Ibid.
6. Site
1. Google Earth snapshot, site highlighted by author.
2. http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/moris.php?Yes=Yes, site highlighted by author. (accessed 5
November 2011)
3. Ibid. Various map pieces put together by author.
4. Edited by Author for lineweights and color. http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/moris.php?Yes=Yes
(accessed 5 November 2011)
5. Map and Key. Massachusetts State GIS. http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/moris.php?Yes=Yes (accessed
5 November 2011)
6. Ibid.
7. US Environmental Protection Agency. “Ecoregions of New England.” ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/ma/
new_eng_front.pdf (accessed 5 November 2011)
8. Ibid.
9. http://www.quincyma.gov/CityOfQuincy_Content/documents/Coastal%20Barriers%20Resources%20Map.pdf
(accessed 5 November 2011)
10. Diagram by the author, overlaid on Google Earth snapshot.
11. Ibid.
8
6. Site, continued
12. Section by the author. 2011.
13. Diagram by author, overlaid on Google Earth snapshot. 2011.
14. Google Maps Street view. Victory Road. http://maps.google.com/
15. Ibid., William T. Morrissey Boulevard.
16. Ibid., Commander Shea Boulevard.
17. Photograph by the author. 2011.
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6270742.jpg (accessed 5 November 2011)
22. Photograph by the author. 2011.
23. Ibid.
24. Images retrieved from Climate Consultant 5 Program (4 November 2011).
25. Ibid.
26. Ibid.
27. Ibid.
28. Ibid.
29. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_Boston_SE.html#squantum (accessed 5 November 2011).
30. Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Executive Office of Energy and Environmental
Affairs. http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/moris.php?Yes=Yes (5 November 2011).
31. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_Boston_SE.html#squantum (accessed 5 November 2011).
32. Ibid.
33. http://historical.mytopo.com/getImage.asp?fname=bsns50se.jpg&state=MA (accessed 5 November 2011).
34. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_Boston_SE.html#squantum (accessed 5 November 2011).
35. http://www.flickr.com/photos/massdep/4036838571/in/photostream/ (accessed 5 November 2011).
36. Google Maps Street view. Beacon Hill, Commonwealth Ave. http://maps.google.com/ (accessed 5 November
2011).
37. Bing Maps street view, Charles Street. http://www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9cjFzeXQwOTI5cHMwJmx2bD0yMiZz
dHk9dH5ibG9ja0lEfjAwMDAwMTAyMjMyMzEwfnN0cmVldFNpZGV+cn5waXhlbE9mZnNldH4xNTEwMw==(acc
essed 5 November 2011).
38. Ibid.
39. Diagram by the author, underlay from Google Earth.
40. Diagram by the author. 2011.
41. Set of diagrams by the author. 2011.
42. Photograph by the author. 2011.
7. Experience
1. Diagram by the author. 2011.
2. Ibid.
3. Screenshot from Indianapolis International Airport’s internet connection. 23 November 2011.
4. Images and drawings by UNStudio. http://www.unstudio.com/projects/kutaisi-airport (accessed 29 November 2011)
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Photograph by Ezra Stoller, retrieved from: Román, Antonio. Eero Saarinen: an architecture of multiplicity. New York:
Princeton Architectural Press, 2003. Page 42.
8. Drawings by Eero Saarinen, Ibid. Page 55.
9. Ibid. Page 56.
10. Ibid. Page 57.
11. Ibid. Page 54
12. Photograph by Ezra Stoller, Ibid. Page 51.
13. Characters by author. 2011.
14. Diagram by author. 2011.
15. Diagram by author. 2011.
16. Drawing by UNStudio. http://www.unstudio.com/projects/kutaisi-airport (accessed 29 November 2011)
17. Diagram by author. 2011
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
9