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