Conn. He received the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects in 1995. Washington Post architecture critic Benjamin Forgey talked with him recently about the thinking behind the new building at National Airport. I like airport terminals that have lots of natural light, that are spacious, that make you feel comfortable, where being there is a pleasant thing. It is also important that directions be easy to follow. Unfortunately, most airports have been designed primarily for the convenience of the airlines.
People are just an inconvenience.
Yet airports are places where people do spend time, where they need to go through a series of complex transactions. Many are rather stressful. There is all the time-consuming activity of getting your ticket, checking your baggage or picking it up, waiting at the gate for your plane or for your family or friends to arrive. Sometimes the gates for flights are changed. Sometimes the waits are very long.