Morgan's Capstone - SEATAC

SEATAC Seattle Tacoma International Airport

CAPSTONE PROJECT Designer: Morgan Groth Year: 2021

CONTENTS 01. Project Introduction Problem Statement

11. Interior Elevations and Sections 12. Section Perspectives with Interior Details

Concept Statement

13. Perspectives 02. Location 03. Site Analysis

Entry Wellness Gardens Hold Room

04. The People

Gender Neutral Restroom

05. Trends

Baggage Claim

06. Wellness 07. Ideating 08. Planning 09. Floor Plans Departures Level Mezzanine Arrival Level

10. Reflected Ceiling Plans Departures Level Mezzanine Arrival Level

14. Material Palette

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Problem Statement

Concept Statement

Airports have gone through several phases over time. After 9/11 air-

At the SEA airport, typical step-by step processes blend together in

ports went through a phase that focused on design for the security

a range of adaptive open spaces where passengers engage in healthy

crisis. In the midst of this, creating healthy and delightful user experi-

opportunities and gravitate towards the regional landscape features,

ences was put to the wayside. This led researchers at InsureMyTrip to

making the airport an enjoyable destination. At the SEA airport, an ac-

a study in which 55 percent of passengers said that air travel is

tion is like a stone in the water creating a rippling effect. Calm-

more stressful than going to work. This stress exists everywhere

ing and organic water ripple rhythms throughout the space will shape

in today’s security-driven airports and no design has incorporated ele-

natural behaviors that have the potential to carry passengers to the

ments into the space to aid in producing a healthier and delightful

far and distant shores they are dreaming of just like a skipping

passenger experience.

rock skidding across the Puget Sound.

LOCATION

Seattle, Washington USA The space between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington is home to one of the largest, most condensed, and fastest growing airports in the world, otherwise known as the Seattle Tacoma International Airport(SEATAC). The area supports a large tech industry, including Microsoft and Amazon’s headquarters. This brings many business travelers through the airport, but there are also many attractions that bring people to Seattle such as the Space Needle, Puget Sound, and the Museum of Pop Culture to name a few.

SITE ANALYSIS

Views

Wind

Sun Path

Arrival & Departures Drive

Airport Expressway

Air Cargo Road (Service Road)

Pacific Highway S

Pedestrian Access (Skybridge)

User Types The total population of the Seattle metro area is 3,979,845 people. Despite this, SEATAC’s passenger traffic for 2019 was roughly 51.8 million people. The passengers come from a range of backgrounds and have various reasons for traveling. Four main groups can be established for user types within the airport: leisure travelers, business travelers, staff, and animals.

DEPARTURES

THE PEOPLE Home

Ticketing/Check Bags

Security Check

Leisure Time

Leisure

Staff

Animals

Business Boarding

Passenger Journey passengers enters a series of processes at different times. One of the goals at SEATAC is to reduce long wait times in individual steps of these processes so leisure and work time can increase for passengers.

ARRIVALS

Passengers can be classified into three distinct categories: departing, arriving, and transfers. Each of these

Fly

Baggage Claim

Destination

TRANSFERS

Walk to Gate

AIRPORT TRENDS Security

Technology

Virtual Queuing

New technology such as those shown below are reducing the staff and spatial footprint of security areas in airports.

The technology is capable of combining health and security screenings into one efficient process.

In baggage claim and ticketing areas touch-less forms of self-help technology are increasing efficiency and providing safety to passengers by reducing face-to-face transactions.

Long lines at airports are changing due to virtual queuing apps. These apps can provide alerts that communicate important flight information in addition to allowing passengers to wait in a “virtual queue”.

The colored version of this technology is currently being tested at some airports in countries other than the United States. The technology categorizes passengers into different groups based on travel frequency. Then, similar to the walkway on the bottom, the passenger simply walked through the tunnel as he/she is scanned.

Hands free baggage drop (as seen above) is becoming a preferred option for many frequent fliers. Similarly, the self check-in kiosks (seen below) are continuing to grow in popularity, and can be used for other tasks now such as customs questionnaires and identity verification.

The picture at the bottom shows an example of how these apps can aid in the wayfinding process. A virtual map of the airport can be used to located the individual and guide them where they want to go.

On-the-go extras

Gateway to the City

Wayfinding

Specialty airports spaces such as VIP airline lounges are no longer for just the elite passengers. Airports are offering pay-as-you-go opportunities for all passengers to utilize these spaces. Other on-the-go extras include gym spaces and other unique amenities or attractions.

Today’s airports strive to present a positive first impression of the city they reside in. At LAX there is a memorable sign at the entrance of the airport as a way to brand the city and welcome visitors.

Wayfinding has been a problem in airports for a long time, but more and more unique ways of expressing wayfinding through materials and signage have become apparent in recent years.

Roam Fitness, shown above, is a large part of the airport exercise scene in today’s airports. The company operates similar to a gym outside of the airport by offering memberships or timed workout sessions. Some airports have went so far as to install a stand-alone yoga room or kids fitness area as well.

LaGuardia, show below uses decorative wall treatments to make a memorable impression on arriving passengers.

Statement pieces like this occur in many airport around the world so that the city can be recognized by other as a thriving society.

In the bottom photo, the floors, walls, and ceilings were all utilized to create a cohesive wayfinding system. This approach makes the message to the passenger very clear and creates a unified visual.

WELLNESS Airports are looking to wellness strategies in order to improve the passenger experience. In order to accomplish wellness goals, airports can focus on improving their facilities in the 11 identified areas of wellness within the WELL Standards. Making these changes will not only improve facilities and passenger satisfaction, but also make spaces adaptable to a pandemic situation like the current COVID-19 crisis.

Air

Fitness

MERV filters with a high rating and operable windows allow fresh air to enter and circulate

Fitness areas are available for passengers and staff. Walking paths area available within the

through the space.

Wellness Gardens as well.

Water

Sound

Water fountains are placed throughout terminals to encourage healthy water intake and

Hold rooms are staggered in each terminal to separate noise from various announcement

biophilic water features throughout the airport ease mental stress.

systems while boarding. Private enclaves are available throughout each terminal for private phone calls or other personal matters.

Nourishment

Materials

Local food vendors are the primary source of nourishment at the airport. Small fresh mar-

All materials are meant for high traffic use and are bleach cleanable wherever possible. These

kets encourage a healthy diet by making local produce readily available.

materials were also selected for their biophilic properties in reference to the Seattle region.

Light

Mind

Ample artificial and natural light is available for each type of activity while passengers are

Quiet spaces such as the rest spaces in each terminal help passengers a mental break from

moving throughout the airport to ease eye strain and reduce confusion or hazards.

the hustle and bustle. Rest spaces in particular are designed to meet the needs of red-eye flight business passengers.

Movement

Community

Large open spaces allow for organic patterns of movement and exercise. A variety of furni-

A central hub space drives connections between people. A variety of attractions in the central

ture types allows for comfortable posture in waiting areas.

space makes it easy for groups to spend time making memories at the airport.

IDEATING

PLANNING Stor.

IT

Stor.

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B

1B 1B

Concourse

1B Rest

Retail

Food

1B

1B

Mom

RR

Mnt.

RR

Central Terminal

Pet

Departures Level

RR

RR

Lost & Found Security TSA Offices Ticket Office

Pet

Mnt.

First Aid

CheckIn/Bag Drop

1B

1B

Mnt.

Important

“Would be nice”

Mom

Mnt.

Staff Elev.

Necessary

1B 1B

RR

Key

Retail

1B

1B

1B

Concourse Rec.

Wellness Gardens

Rec. 1B

1B

1B

Public Elev.

Rest Food

IT

Entry

Admin.

Offices & Open Office

Conference Space

Entry (from above)

Lost & Found Elev.

Retail

Baggage Services

Esc. Escalator

Seating

RR

Elev.

Fire Stairs

Mom Staff Elev.

RR

Airport Operations Offices

Baggage Claim

Escalator

Food VIP Lounge

Admin.

Offices & Open Office

Pet

Visitor Info.

Rental Services Exit

Mezzanine

RR

Arrivals Level

DEPARTURES LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

13

13

13

20

19 9

4

23

9

19

19

9

18

19

9

19

4

12

9

19 21

19 13

13

4

12

19

24

19 4

8

23

8

15 9

13

19

2

22

16 24

12

11

9

4

10

23

4

7

25

14

9

25

6

5

5

12 4

N.I.S.

4

3

3

2

2

1

1

N.I

Spaces

13

13

17

19

9

9

19

Entry

17 Food

2

Ticketing

18 ATM

3

Check-In/Baggage Drop-Off

19 Gates

4

Restrooms

20 Rest Pods

5

Security

21 Recreation

6

Security Offices

22 Kids Play Area

7

Staff Elevator

23 Pet Relief Area

8

Escalators

24 Public Elevators

9

Storage

25 Fire Stairs

13

20 16

1

23

4

17

4

19

19

16 9

18

19

9

21

16

16

19 13

4 12

17

16

12

9

19

13

19

19 23

17

16

4

9

19

22

13

10 First Aid 16

.S.

11 Mother’s Room 12 Maintenance 13 IT 14 Security Lost and Found 15 Wellness Gardens 16 Retail

MEZZANINE FLOOR PLAN Spaces

3

1

4

2

14

1

2

2

8

5

5 6

7 10

Retail

3

Elevator

4

Food

5

Restrooms

6

Administrative Offices

7

Open Office

8

Staff Elevator

9

Break Room/Fitness Area

9

7

7

2

11

12 6

Seating

14

13 15

1

10 Airport Operations Office 11 Conference Room 12 Maintenance 13 IT 14 Fire Stairs 15 VIP Lounge

ARRIVALS FLOOR PLAN Spaces 2

12

4

1 3

8

10

13

1

Seating

2

Baggage Services

3

Escalator

4

Elevator

5

Baggage Claim

6

Fire Stairs

7

Visitor Information Center

8

Restrooms

9

Mother’s Room

3

11

11

8

10

9

9 5

1

1

6

1

6

7 14

15

10 Pet Relief Area 11 Maintenance 1

12 IT 13 Storage 14 Rental Services 15 ATM

DEPARTURES LEVEL REFLECTED CEILING PLAN

N.I.S.

N.I.S.

Lighting Key

Tech Lighting Recessed Element

XAL Suspended Mino 60

Lumenwerx Recessed/Suspended Via 2+

Lumenwerx Cove Strip Light

MEZZANINE REFLECTED CEILING PLAN Lighting Key

Lumenwerx Recessed/Suspended Via 2+

Tech Lighting Recessed Element

N.I.S.

N.I.S.

XAL Suspended Mino 60

ARRIVALS LEVEL REFLECTED CEILING PLAN Lighting Key

Lumenwerx Recessed/Suspended Via 2+

Tech Lighting Recessed Element

N.I.S.

N.I.S.

INTERIOR ELEVATIONS AND SECTIONS

Concourse Retail Storefront

Retail & Concessions Retail and concessions spaces similar to those pictured here would be available for rent within the concourses. Each tenant would be allowed to select a finish for the front of the serving bar and walls, lighting style, and signage. In addition to this, tenants would have the option of selecting self-serve kiosks to limit contact between staff and consumers during COVID-19.

Concourse Concessions Storefront

SECTION PERSPECTIVE WITH INTERIOR DETAILS

ENTRY

WELLNESS GARDENS

HOLD ROOM

GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOM

BAGGAGE CLAIM

MATERIALS