Philadelphia Airport Re-imagined This project challenges the conventional design of airports, especially targeting on the linearity in program layout, and its efficiency problem as a consequence. Design of the project originates from the structure research under the method of 3D Graphic Statics. The research generated a base structural module with a complex spatial quality of double-interlocking chambers, and the potential of forming a space enclosed all by developable surfaces. As the base module is further developed with information from the program studies of the airport, a circular structure of an unconventional airport terminal design was derived. The circular configuration allows the terminal to provide 12 boarding gates around its circumference. Along the radius from the gate to the center of the circle are 12 sets of departure and arrival service programs, including customs, security, and baggage claim, etc., that are designated for each gate respectively. This arrangement allows the airport to employ a decentralized system that would increase its efficiency, and orient towards a next-generation further digitalized passenger experience.
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module Development | First Inspiration Module 1
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
The original module generated from the 3D Graphic Statics method exhibits the potential of creating a space enclosed by curved-edge developable surfaces.
Plan
Model Picture
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Section
Module 2
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
The original module was further developed, maintaining the feature of developable surfaces, while creating a more complex spatial quality of two interlocking chambers connected by a continous curve structure.
Plan
Model Picture
Section
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module Development | Exploration & Experiment Module 3
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
This module explores the potential of the curved-edge space, developing it into multiple chambers, and dividing it into two levels in section.
Plan
Section
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Module 4
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
This is another variation of the curved-edge space, with both chambers orient towards the outside, and connected by a small tunnel in the center.
Plan
Section
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module 5
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
This is an elaborated version of Module 3, with increased spatial complexity. The result is a space with multiple layers in plan, offering more possibilities of occupance and circulation.
Plan
Model Picture
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Section
Module 6
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
In this module, the idea of an angled structure was brought in. The angle allows the modules to be aggregated into more combination, becoming the most critical inspiration of the final structural module of the airport terminal.
Plan
Model Picture
Section
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module Development | Revised Modules Module 7
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
This module is developed from Module 2. The curves have been simplified, and further smoothed. At the same time, efforts were made to reduce the number of vertical members in the structure, creating a more delicate space.
Plan
Section
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Module 8
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
Developed from Module 7, a “tunnel� was inserted into the module with its profile curves intergrated with the original module. Up to this moment, the exploration of the module has achieved a desirable level of spatial complexity and good level of control of the formal quality.
Plan
Section
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module Development | Module Aggregation Aggregation 1
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
Utilizing Module 7 as a basis, by modifying it into a angled structure, this aggregation joined 18 of the base modules into a continuous circle structure. This aggregated structure maintains the feature of interlocking curved-edge space, while exhibiting a scaler change from the center to the circumstance of the circle.
Plan
Model Picture
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Section
Aggregation 2
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
With a similar process to Aggregation 1, this attempt uses Module 8 as the basis, generating a more complex circled structure. More layers of space are included in this aggregation. This is the foundational structure of the final design of the airport terminal.
Plan
Model Picture
Section
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Module Development | Aggregation Components
Force Diagram
Perspective Form Diagram
This finalized module component includes multiple layers of space as illustrated on the next page. Each layer showcases a different type of spatial quality that would serve for a certain type of airport program.
Plan
Model Picture
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Section
1- Double Curve - Outer Ring
2- Tunnel - Middle Ring
3- Double Curve - Inner Ring
4- Tunnel - Atrium
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Concept Development | Program Analysis
Program Diagram
2/F Departure Hall & Arrival Gates
Analysis of the programs in the existing Termial E f Philadelphia International Airport revealed problems such as insufficient service programs, confusion in the arrival route, and the overall inefficiency of the check in and boarding experience.
1/F Arrival Hall Flight
Shops Service
Circulation Transportation
Ticketing Check in Passport Control Customs Boarding Gate Waiting Area Baggage Claim Non-Public F&B Retail Art &Culture Restrooms Information Booth ATM & Exchange Praying Room Smoking Kid Zone Prestige Lounge Pharmacy Quiet Lounge Computer Room Phone Booth Trolley Valet Baggage Help Shower Elevator, Stairs, Escalators Walkway Passenger Train Road Parking Car Rental Limo Hotel Shuttle
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
2/F Departure Hall & Arrival Gates
1/F Arrival Hall
Flight
F&B & Retails
Services
Transportation
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Concept Development | New Proposal
ROOF
GATE 1
LEVEL 02
GATE 2
GATE 3
GATE 12
GATE 4
GATE 11
GATE B GATE 5
GATE 10
GATE 6
GATE 9
GATE 8
GATE 7
LEVEL 01
Circulation Diagram
The new terminal is proposed on the basis of a circular configuration offering 12 boarding gates along its circumference. Level 1 houses all major service programs (for example, checkin, security, customs, etc.) of the airport, with departure (red in the diagram) and arrival (blue) occurs alternatively along the circle radius. The waiting lounges and retail/entertainment space are located on Level 2.
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
ROOF
GATE B
LEVEL 02
GATE A
LEVEL 01 & BASEMENT Program Diagram
DEPARTURE ROUTE 01 Ticketing and Check in 02 Departure Customs 03 Security ARRIVAL ROUTE 04 Arrival Customs 05 Baggage Claim CARGO ROUTE 06 Waiting Lounge 07 Retail 08 AirTrain Terminal
This diagram illustrates how departure programs (red in the diagram) and arrival programs (blue) are alternatively laid out in the space. Retails space on Level 2 allows people to look down onto other program space and experience the airport more dynamically.
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Speculation | New Master Plan & Sustainability
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Speculative Master Plan
In this new proposal, the Philadelphia International Airport is to be replaced by 13 circular termianls: 3 larger in scale for internaional flights and 10 for domestic lines. Each terminal is autonomous by itself, and is connected to each other via an underground AirTrain system which not only transports passengers between terminals, but also brings people in and out from the city to the center of each airport terminal.
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Design Development | Floor Plans
Level 2 Floor Plan
This plan illustrates the waiting lounges next to the boarding gates, and retail/entertainment spaces in the middle-ring of the circle.
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Level 1 Floor Plan
This plan shows how the AirTrain station in the center of the terminal is connected to other service programs, with departure and arrival routes occur alternatively.
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Design Development | Sections
Section L - Arrival
This section cuts through the Arrival path in the terminal, illustrating the route from passengers’ arrival at the gate, proceeding down to Level 1 for Customs, further down to B1 for Baggage Claim, and eventually towards the AirTrain located on B2 level.
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Section R - Departure
Departure route illustrated in this section starts from passengers’ arrival with the AirTrain at the center of the airport terminal. Passengers will complete ticketing and check-in on the inner most ring of the circle, then proceed to Level 1 for Customs and Security, and to the waiting lounges on Level 2. Also located on Level 2 are the retail and entertainment space which has a view onto other program areas in the terminal. Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Design Development | Renderings
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Exterior Rendering
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Exterior Rendering
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Interior Rendering - Boarding Gate & Retail Areas
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Interior Rendering - Arrival Hall & Baggage Claim
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Design Development | Axonometric Perspective Drawing
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Design Development | Model Pictures
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang
Instructor: Masoud Akbarzadeh
Pui Lam Penelope Fung, Kailin Wang