Seattle-Tacoma International Airport North Entry Art Plan
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Transcript of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport North Entry Art Plan
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
NORTH ENTRY ART PLANHaddad|DruganPort of Seattle|Airport Art Program March 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTSSummary 1
Introduction 1 Background OverviewofContents Process Philosophy ConceptualVision 2GuidingPrinciplesforDevelopingArt 3InventoryofArtProjects 6
ResearchandAnalysis 7HistoricalBackground 7
EarlyAirportDesigns DevelopmentofSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirport HistoryoftheHighlineLandscape
CurrentSiteConditions 8 SiteElements ContextualElements ChoreographyofTopography,Views,andEmotions
FutureSiteConditions 11
FutureSiteElements ImpactsoftheProject Opportunities Constraints ExperiencingtheFutureAirportEntry
ExistingAirportGuidelines 14 ArtGuidelines DesignGuidelines LandscapeDesignGuidelines CityofSeaTacDesignStandardsProjectDescriptions 16
ArtProjects 16 EmeraldCity 16 TranscendentCity 18 LinearCity 20 CelestialCity 22 TerrestrialCity 24
UrbanDesignProjects 26
ImplementingtheArtPlan 28
ArtistSelectionMethods 28 CriteriaforArtistSelection 28 ArtProjectDevelopment 28 ArtProjectReview 29
Bibliography 30
“Theintegratedfreeway,marriedtoitslandscape,isanelegantcompositioninspace,anewformofurbansculptureformotion…Attheirbest,thesegreatribbonsofconcrete,swirlingthroughtheland,giveustheexcitementofanenvironmentaldance,wheremancanbeinmotioninhislandscapetheater.”–Freeways,byLawrenceHalprin
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INTRODUCTION
Background
Seattle-TacomaInternationalAirport(Airport)isownedandoperatedbythePortofSeattle.TheAirportisthemainportaltothePacificNorthwestregion,servingapproximately28.8millionpassengersin2004.
Inearly2005thePortofSeattle’sArtProgramhiredtheartistteamofHaddad|DrugantodevelopaplanforincorporatingartworkintotheNorthAirportExpressway(NAE),theprimaryentryandexitpointoftheAirport.TheNAEwillundergomajormodificationandrelocationthroughaseriesofprojectsoverthenextseveralyearstorelievetrafficcongestion,accommodateSoundTransit’sLightRailTransit(LRT)stationandtrackalignmentattheAirport,andaddresstheAirport’sComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan.Toaccomplishtheseobjectives,thePortofSeattleiscurrentlyengagedintworoadwayprojects,theSouth160thStreetLoopRampProjectandtheNorthExpresswayRelocationPhase1Project.
ThefocusofthisplanisonPortofSeattleartprojects,butitalsoidentifiesotherartprojectsthatcanbeincorporatedintoelementsofSoundTransit’slightrailsystemortheCityofSeaTac’sfuturetransitareadevelopment.Theplanwillunifyalloftheseprojectsasacohesive,integratedgroup.
Overview of Contents
TheartplanSummaryincludestheprocess,philosophy,andconceptualframeworkoftheplan,aswellasaninventoryofproposedartprojects.
TheResearchandAnalysissectionincludeshistoricalbackground,existingandfuturesiteconditions,andrelevantpointsofrelatedartanddesignguidelines.
TheProjectDescriptionssectiondiscussestheartprojectsindetail,providingconcepts,goals,andprecedents.Italsoincludesurbandesignrecommendations.
ThesectiononImplementingtheArtPlanproposesmethodsandcriteriaforartistselection,andaprocessforprojectdevelopmentandreview.
TheBibliographyisalistofadditionalresourcestoguidetheworkoffutureartists.
Process
Indevelopingthisplantheartplannersvisitedthesiteatdifferenttimesofdayandindifferentweatherconditions,reviewedPortofSeattleandSoundTransitprojectplansanddocuments,readrelevantAirportGuidelines,andresearchedconceptualideas.
TheartplannersmetandexchangedideasonaregularbasiswithkeyPortofSeattleArtProgramandAviationFacilities&InfrastructurestaffincludingKeithGillin,TamiKuiken,andRalphWessels.TheyalsometperiodicallywithSoundTransit’sartprogrammanager,CarolValenta,andoccasionallywithengineersandlandscapearchitectsfromHuitt-ZollarsandHoughBeck&Baird,theAirport’sroadwayprojectsdesignteamconsultants.
ThePortofSeattle’sArtOversightCommitteeandRoadwayProjectsVisualReviewCommitteereviewedandcommentedontheartplanindevelopment.ProjectpartnersincludingSoundTransit,theCityofSeaTac,andWashingtonStateDepartmentofTransportation(WSDOT)alsoreviewedandcommentedontheartplanindevelopmentthroughtheAirportLinkUrbanDesignReviewCommittee.Inputfromallpartieshasbeenassimilatedintotherecommendationsmadeinthisdocument.
Philosophy
Overthepast30yearstheAirporthasestablishedoneofthecountry’smostprestigiouscollectionsofpublicartforairports.Theprogramhasfocusedonattainingartreflectingthevaluesandideasofthetimeinwhichitwasacquiredandproduced.NorthwestthemesexpressedthroughartarealsoanimportantfactoringivingtheAirportitsuniqueidentityandconnectiontotheregion.
WhatmakestheprojectsidentifiedinthisartplandifferentfromotherAirportartworksisthattheywillbelocatedprimarilyinexteriorsites.Projectparametersandthemesarealignedwithcontextuallandscapeconditions.ThisextendsconnectionsbetweentheAirport’sartcollectionandtheNorthwestregion,andinstillsasite-specificapproachtocreatingart.
TheprimarygoaloftheplanistocreateaunifiedartenvironmentinwhichallthevariousprojectsaretiedtogetherthroughaConceptualVisionthatgivestheNorthAirportEntryadistinctidentity.Itisintendedthatfutureprojectartistswillsynthesizeinformationintheplantosuittheirownaestheticapproaches.Whiletheartplanshouldnotrestrictthedevelopmentofartworks,itisalsoimportantthatindividualartistsworkwithintheConceptualVisionsothatallthepiecescontributetoacohesivegestaltthatdistinguishestheAirport’sNorthEntryanditsrelatedartworks.
SUMMARY
left: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport North Entry
above right: historic photograph of Airport Airfield, Terminal, and Mount Rainier
SUMMARY
� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
Conceptual Vision
ContinuousCities. Twoconceptsdefinetheartplan.Thefirst,oneofContinuousCities,impliesthatalloftheartprojectsarelinkedintoacontinuousterrain,orarepossiblyallthesameplaceviewedthroughdifferentperspectives.TheplacetheyareinterpretingisanamalgamoftheAirport,thePacificNorthwest,theWorld.Thedesiredresultisthatexperiencingoneartworkshedsnewmeaningontheothers,inthemannerofItaloCalvino’sInvisible Cities:
AttimesallIneedisabriefglimpse,anopeninginthemidstofanincongruouslandscape,aglintoflightsinthefog,thedialogueoftwopassersbymeetinginthecrowd,andIthinkthat,settingoutfromthere,Iwillputtogether,piecebypiece,theperfectcity,madeoffragmentsmixedwiththerest,ofinstantsseparatedbyintervals,ofsignalsonesendsout,notknowingwhoreceivesthem.IfItellyouthatthecitytowardwhichmyjourneytendsisdiscontinuousinspaceandtime,nowscattered,nowmorecondensed,youmustnotbelieve thesearchforitcanstop.Perhapswhilewespeak,itisrising...
Tomanifestthisconcept,eachoftheartprojectshasbeengivenamonikerthatidentifiesitasatypeof“city.”Theterm“city”isbeingusedherenotinreferencetoactualcitiesofthearea(suchastheCityofSeaTac),butinassociationwithutopiantheory(asinCalvino’sInvisible Cities andColinRowe’sCollage City).
Transformation. ThesecondconceptualthreadthattiestheprojectstogetheristheprocessofTransformation,occurringalongaxesonwhichtheContinuousCitiesareplaced,andalsowithintheindividualprojects.
Transformationexpressespersonalgrowththroughtravel,dreamsandnewbeginningsassociatedwiththefrontierqualityoftheAmericanWest,andthecontinuousreinventionoflocaltechnologyandlandscapethatcharacterizestheAirportaswellastheregion.Transformationisalsoimplicitinthesystemsandatmosphericeffectsthatrunthroughthesites.
NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
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Onaphilosophicallevel,Transformationisanemotiveresponsethatstrivestoreconcileexperiencesoftheempiricallyrealandthetranscendentallyideal.Inthewaypersonalrevelationscanoccuruponperceptionofanewandforeignland,thephysicalityofart’sformsandmaterials(thereal)strivestoenactasublimeeffect(theideal)onitsviewers.ThislinkstheartmeaningoftheContinuousCitieswiththeactualplaceswheretheyaresited,givingnewmeaningtothecontextuallandscape.TheartprojectsintheplantransformalongaseriesofattributesinherenttothesitethatwillbeanalyzedinfurtherdetailintheResearchandAnalyissectionofthisdocument,including:
• viewsequences• methodoftransport/speedofmovement• topography• emotionalfluctuations
Transformationalsooccursacrossanintellectualframeworkappliedtothesite,comprisedoftwocross-axesthatconnectmajorpointsofentryandexit:
• anorth-southaxisthatshiftsfromanemphasisonspaceatthe160thStreetthreshold,totimeattheAirportTerminal
• aneast-westzxisthatshiftsfromasubstantiveandgroundedphysicalplaceattheSeaTacCityCenter,toalightandabstractimaginaryplaceattheAirportTerminal
Theframeworkalsoincludeszonescharacterizedbythefournaturalelementsandtheatmosphericconditionsmostcloselyalliedwiththem.Thesezonesinclude:water/rain,air/wind,fire/light,andearth/plants.
ApplyingtheConceptualVision. ThevariousTransformationsandContinuousCitiesweavetogethertoformaphysical-intellectualconstructthatlayersnewmeaningontotheNorthAirportEntry,anddefinesgoalsandthemesfortheindividualartprojects.Inadditiontooccurringwithspecificemphasesandscaleswithineachproject,theconceptsofTransformationandContinuousCitiesalsooccuracrosstheEntrysiteasawhole,insofarasthethemesthatdescribeeachoftheContinuousCitiesdefinepolesofdifferencebetweenwhichTransformationoccurs.Thedialoguesbetweentheprojectsparadoxicallydivideandunifythesitesimultaneously.
ThescaleofanddegreetowhichtheConceptualVisionoftheartplanisperceivedwillemergefromindividualexperiencesoftransportthroughthesite,frequencyofviewingtheartprojects,emotionalstateofmind,andpersonalassociations.
Guiding Principles for Developing Art
Thefollowingguidelineswerederivedfromtheartplanners’observationsofthesiteandprojectparam-eters,interpretationsofexistingAirportguidelines,andconversationswithstakeholders:
1. ReflectthePacificNorthwestenvironmentthroughmaterials,forms,andprocesses.
2. ReflectculturalinterpretationsofthePacificNorthwestthroughlocalmyths,histories,andtechnologiesthatinterpretorprocessregionalnaturalelements.
3. Tieartintonaturalprocessesandclimaticevents,tocreateadistinctly“exterior”setofartprojectsfortheAirport.
4.Supportlightrailstation’sthemeof“flight.”5.Reflectorintegrateelementsofsustainability.6. Useplantstomitigatetheexpansesofconcrete
thatwillpervadethesite.7. Usearttobuildonthechoreographyofviews,
topographyandemotionalexperiencesinherenttomovingthroughthesite.
8. Treatviewsalongtransportationcorridorsascinematicsuccessionsofvisualevents
a. toprovideasenseofexcitementaboutbotharrivingattheAirportandenteringthePacificNorthwest
b. toprovidevisualinterestforpeopledrivingaroundthelooproadwhilewaitingtopickuppassengers.
9. Creatememorableexperiencesforbothfrequentandinfrequentusers.
10.Creategatewaysmarkingpointsofentryandexit.11.Defineartprojectsofscalessuitabletotheir
environmentsa. largescaleforvehicularcorridorsb. small-mediumscaleforpedestrian
corridors.12.Integrateartintofunctionalstructures,while
keepingtheartdistinctenoughfromthosestructuressothatitisclearlyexpressiveasart.
13.Usearttoassistinwayfinding.14.Tieprojectsintogoalsofrelevantart,design,and
landscapeguidelines.15.Asappropriateandwherepossible,incorporate
“green”orLEEDS-certifiedsustainablematerialsandfeaturesintoartwork.
16.Mitigatelifecycleandoperational/maintenancecostsintheselectionandcreationofartwork.
SUMMARY
� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
� SUMMARY
� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
Inventory of Art Projects
Art Project Name Site Type of Artwork Funding Agency Budget Potential Elements Notes
“EmeraldCity” 160thLoopRampunderpassandsurroundinglandscapearea
WSDOTpropertynorthofandincluding160thStreetUnderpass
Gateway PortofSeattle $800,000includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
• sculpture,earthwork,lighting,andtime/tempsignatentry
• enhancementstolooproad/detentionpondfunctionalelements(walls,columns,fences,earthwork,plantings,pondcover)
• trashscreens,paint,andlightingonexistingsurfacesofthe160thStreetunderpass
• designteamcollaborationonplantingplanforentireroadwaycorridor
Theartvisionwillinfluenceitemspaidforthroughengineering,landscape,andutilitybudgets,aswellastheartbudget.Someprojectelementsmaybeinthebaseconstructionbudget.Theartbudgetwillcoverenhancementstofunctionalpiecesandstand-aloneartpieces.
Artwillnotdistractdriversfromvariablemessagesignsorotherroadwaywayfindingandinformationsigns.
“TranscendentCity” SoundTranisitSkybridge,connectingStationandInternationalBoulevard
PortofSeattleSkybridgeandWalkwaythroughGarage,connectingStationandAirportTerminal
Gateway SoundTransit&PortofSeattle
SoundTransitSkybridge:$200,000includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
PortofSeattleSkybridgeandWalkwaythroughGarage:tobedetermined
• architecturally-integratedelementssuchassculpturalportalsandglazingtreatments
•lighting,screens,multi-media•soundelements•interactivepieces
Artforthebridgebetweenthestationandairportgarageshouldbetransportable,soitcaneventuallybemovedfromthetemporarybridgetopermanentbridge.
“LinearCity” At-GradeandAerialLightRailAlignmentintheMedianoftheNAEroadway,from160thStreettoLightRailStation
UnifyingElement SoundTransit $200,000includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation;constructioncreditsforartist-designedfunctionalelementsmaybeappliedtoartbudget;additionalfundingfromthePortofSeattleispossible
• sculpturalOCSpoletops• shape,form,andsurfacetreatmentofglare
screensandsecurityfences• surfacetreatmentstoOCSpoles,aerial
guidewaycolumns,andtrackbedpaving• “specialevent”whenat-gradealignmentliftsto
anaerialalignment
Artistwillproposeconcepts,studyfeasibility,andprovidebudgetsforvariouselements,someofwhichwillbeenhancementstofunctionalpiecesfundedthroughthebaseconstructionbudget.
Allart,especiallyintheareawherethealignmentshiftsfromat-gradetoaerial,mustbeabletoaccommodatefuturerelocationofsouthboundlanesoftheAirportExpressway,andAirCargoRoad.
“CelestialCity” LightRailStation FocalPoint SoundTransit $150,000includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
•sculpture•windscreens,elevatorglazing,paving,andother
architecturally-integratedelements• suspendedpieces• interactivepieces
Artisttocollaboratewithdesignteamtocreateanart-and-architecturevisionthatdefinesthestation,andtodeterminelocationsfordiscreteartwork.
“TerrestrialCity” BaseofSkybridgeonInternationalBoulevard
Gateway SoundTransit tobedetermined • paving•lighting•sculpture•waterfeature•interactivepieces
Architecturalpavingandlandscapingenhancementscanbeconsideredaspartofthisproject.
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RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
HISTORICALBACKGROUND
Early Airport Designs
Aeronauticalengineeringexperiencedenormousdevelopmentinthe1920s,capturingpublicattentionandpromptinganeedforgroundfacilitiestoservetheburgeoningairlineindustry.Between1928and1929thenumberofAmericanairportsnearlydoubled.
Asenseofhopeandoptimismwasassociatedwithearlyairtravel,andthiswasreflectedinthesiteplansofearlyairports.Entryroadwayswereoftenlaidoutingeometricandaxialcompositions,usuallyframedwithformalplantingsthatreinforcedtheutopianqualityofthedesigns.Thoseearlyairportsprovidedlargegreenpublicopenspaces,inasenseservingsomefunctionsofpublicparks.
AnIndustrial/ArtDecoarchitecturalstylecharacterizedthefirstterminalbuildings.Toattractpublicinterestinairtravel,manyincludedelementsthatstretchedthelimitsofcontemporarystructuralengineering,inmuchthesamewaythataeronauticalengineeringwasstretchingthelimitsoftransportation.Explorationofinnovativearchitecturalmotifscontinuestocharacterizenewairportbuildings,whereasinventivesitedesignisnowusuallysacrificedtospatialconstraintsofexpansion.
Development of Sea-Tac Airport
A1700’-longairstripwasclearedandgradednearBowLakeinlate1940byDeanSpencerandGeorgeWolff,wholefttheareatoflyforthemilitaryinWorldWarIIimmediatelyaftercompletingtheairstrip.WiththegrowthofBoeingandasaresultofmilitaryresponsetothe1941JapaneseattackonPearlHarbor,thefederalgovernmentmadeapleaforanewregionalairport.ThePortofSeattlerespondedtotherequestandopenedSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirportatthesiteoftheBowLakeairstripin1944.Ithada6100’-longrunway.
TheTerminalandAdministrativeOfficesopenedin1949.LiketheAirport’snewCentralTerminal,theoriginalTerminalbuildinghadawallofglassonthewestside,andwindowsallaround.Itwasdistinguishedwithelegantflutedcolumnsinsideandalargeexteriorclockonatowerfacingtheairfield.
ItisnotablethattheoriginalentrytotheTerminalwasaformalarrangementofroadsandplants.Agrandboulevardfromtheeastthatformedanaxisterminatingatacirculardriveinfrontofthebuilding.Awidemedianofgrassbisectedtheboulevard,whichwasframedbyrowsofevergreentreesandparkinglotsonbothsides.AnislandofgrassandflowersencircledbytheentrydrivecreatedamemorablesettingfortheTerminal.
Therunwaywaslengthenedin1956,andTerminalimprovementsweremadeforthe1962SeattleWorld’sFair.Between1949and1971theA-DandN-SConcourseswereadded,inpartthroughanexpansionprogramthatbeganin1967.Aspartofthisprogram
a secondrunwaywasbuiltandtheTerminalwasencasedinsideanewstructurethatfeaturedanupperdrivewayfordeparturesandalowerdrivewayforbaggagecollectionandarrivals.Anewmulti-deckParkingGaragewasbuilt,withSkybridgesconnectingittotheMainTerminal.Aninternalhighwaysystem(theAirportExpressway)andnewfeederroadslinkedtheTerminalandGaragetoInterstate-5.
Furtherexpansionbeganinthe1990s,continuingontoprojectscurrentlyunderway.TheGaragewasexpandedtothreetimesitsoriginalsizeintheearly1990s,withGarageexpansiontothenorthplannedforthenearfuture.ConcourseAandAirportAdministrativeOfficeswererenovatedintheearly2000s,anewCentralTerminalwascompletedinSpring2005,andathirdrunwayisinconstruction.
above: Lehigh Airports Competition Entry, 1929
top right: original “grand boulevard” entry into Sea-Tac Airport
bottom right: Sea-Tac Airport Terminal and entry plantings at opening in 1949
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
History of the Highline Landscape
ThesiteoftheAirportisonaridgeofglacialdepositscalledthe“Highline.”Itwasonceold-growthforest,andincludesthespring-fedAngleandBowLakes.NativeAmericansettlementswereinlowlandstotheeastandwestoftheridge,butthelandaroundthelakeswasusedforfishingandhunting.Indigenouspeoplealsocultivatedthatpartofforesttoattractdeerandfortheirownharvest,selectivelyclearingthelandwithfireandfosteringthegrowthofnativeberries.HistorianDavidBuergesays,“Thisareawasnotawilderness,butratheragardenthatboretheimprintofhumanactivityforthousandsofyears.”
Thefirstwhitesettlersmovedtotheareain1873,anditslowlygrewintothe“Sunnydale”community,anagriculturaloutpostofSeattle.Theforestwasclearedtomakewayforfamilyfarms.Inthe1890shopsweregrownonahomesteadinthelocationofthecurrentnorthendoftheAirport,andablacksmithshopwasopenednearthereattheturnofthecentury.BytheearlytwentiethcenturyJapaneseimmigrantscomprisedmostofthefarmersontheHighline.
DevelopmentoftheHighlineareahasalwaysoccurredaroundtheadventofnewtransportationcorridors,themostsignificantofwhichhasbeenSea-TacAirport.MilitaryRoad(1860)wasthefirstmajornorth-southroad,connectingFortsSteilacoomandBellingham.KellyRoad(1872)followed,linkingthefarmingcommunitiesofSunnydaleandSouthPark.In1922KellyRoadwasrededicatedasDesMoinesMemorialDrive,withelmsplantedonitsshoulderstomemorializeWorldWarIdead.ThePacificCoastHighway(Highway99)wasbuiltin1928toconnectSeattlewithTacoma.Finally,Interstate5wasbuiltinthe1960s.Populationgrowthaccompaniedalloftheseroadconstructions.SoundTransit’sLinkLightRailLinewillbecomethenextmajornorth-southtransportationcorridortorunthroughandbringgrowthtothearea.
TheCityofSeaTacwasincorporatedin1990.SeaTaccomprises10.5squaremiles,includingandwrappingaroundtheAirport.ItalsoincludesresidentialneighborhoodsandahospitalitystriponHighway99thatprimarilyservestheAirport.SeaTacrenamedthisstripofhighway“InternationalBoulevard.”
CURRENTSITECONDITIONS:
Site Elements
TheNorthAirportExpresswayisaccessedfromStateHighway518.Theoff-rampfrom518climbsuphillthroughagreenbelt,andthenpassesbeneathanoverpassat160thStreet,whichactsasanunofficialgatewayintotheAirport.Non-descriptconcreteretainingwalls,plantedembankments,andchain-linktrashscreensontheupperroadcharacterizetheoverpass.PortofSeattlepropertyandtheNAEbeginonitssouthside.
AnelectronicsignwithachangingdisplayofcurrentAirportinformationismountedtothenorthsideoftheoverpass,andanotherelectronicsigndisplayingthecurrenttimeandtemperatureislocatedinthemedianjustsouthofthe160thStreetoverpass.Thatsignhasbecomealandmark,signifyingtomotoriststhattheyhaveenteredtheAirport.
Amedianwithgrass,cobralights,andsmalltreesinsomeareasdividesnorthboundandsouthboundtrafficalongmostoftheNAE.Embankmentsattheedgesoftheroadareplantedwithadisparatemixofmedium-sizeddeciduousandevergreentreesandshrubs,withagroundcoverofgrass.
TheNAEendsattheTerminal,whereitforksofftovariousexitsleadingtoArrivalandDepartureDrivesandtheParkingGarage.
TheGarageiscolored“ColumbiaBuff,”awarmergraythanstandardconcrete.Itissixstorieshigh,withafaçadecomposedofhorizontalbandsofroundedspandrelsateachfloor.ThewestsideoftheGaragehaslargemonolithicairvents.Theeastsideischaracterizedbylargecylindricalspiralingentryandexitramps.
AdjacenttotheGarageatthesouthendareconcretecoolingtowerswithsculpturalcylindricalforms.WaterrushingdowninsideofthemisvisiblefromcarspassingbyontheNAE.Thisis,andwillremain,thesouth“end”oftheNAEloop.
Contextual Elements
AirCargoRoadisdirectlywestoftheNAE.Airportfacilitiesincludeterminals,maintenancehangars,fuelracks,cargostorage,andairfieldwestofAirCargoRoad.AirportsupportbusinessesincludingpostalandpackageservicesarealsowestofAirCargoRoad.Supportbusinessesincludingparking,carrental,hotelsandrestaurantsareeastoftheNAE,andaccessedfromInternationalBoulevard.WashingtonMemorialPark,alargecemeteryfoundedin1930,isalsoeastoftheNAE.
BeyondtheseimmediatesurroundingsliesthePugetSoundRegion,centeredoncommunitiessituatedalongInterstate-5stretchingfromTacomatoEverett,withSeattleinthemiddle.FurtheroutaretheCascadeandOlympicMountainRanges,the“EvergreenState”ofWashington,andthePacificNorthwest.BecausetheAirportisaprimarygatewayintoallofthesepoints,someofwhicharevisiblefromtheNAE,theyareallpartofitscontextuallandscape.Similarly,thenationalandinternationallocalesconnectedthroughflightsintoandoutoftheAirportcanalsobeconsideredpartofits“psychological”contextuallandscape.FrequentlythepreviouslandscapethatpeopletravelingontheAirportExpresswayhaveexperiencedwasinafarawayplace.
historic picture of an old-growth tree in the present location of Sea-Tac Airport
cooling towers south of parking garage, marking the south end of the loop drive
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view of aiplanes, approaching Aiport Terminal descent to Terminal, with distant of view of Mount Rainier
exit from state route 518 approaching underpasses passing through underpass ascent to 160 Street underpass and Airport entry
passing through 160th Street underpass ascent on NAE, approaching Air Traffic Control Tower descent on NAE
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Entry Sequence
�0 NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
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ThedescentoftheroadiscoupledwithaclosingoffofviewsascarsenterintoeithertheGarageorthe“gorge”betweentheGarageandTerminal.Thedropinelevationandlimitedviewsbothheightenthefeelingsofanxiety.
OnceattheTerminalemotionalgood-byesandgreetingscanoccur,andthoughtsbegintobeoccupiedbyschedulesandtimes.
LoopingaroundTerminal. LoopingaroundtheParkingGaragetomakemultiplepassesbytheArrivalDeckoftheTerminalisoftenwroughtwithcombinedfeelingsoftedium,distresscausedbytherapidpaceandlimitedparkingenforcedbyAirportPolice,andworryaboutnotconnectingwithalovedoneorfriend.
LeavingtheAirport. DrivingnorthoutoftheAirportTerminal,theExpresswaypassestheParkingGarageontheleft.NewnativeplantingsbetweentheroadandGaragewilleventuallygrowtoscreentheviewoftheGarage.ThetopsofcedartreesonalowergroundplanetotherightoftheroadcurrentlyscreenviewstoInternationalBoulevard.
AstheExpresswaypassesbythenortheastcorneroftheGarage,viewsopentoairplanesontheleftandInternationalBoulevardontheright.ApersonwhohasjustarrivedbyairplanestartstogetspatiallyorientedwiththePacificNorthwest.Theroadsoonbeginsalongandevenascentthatenhancesafeelingofanticipationaboutgoinghomeorbeginningavisit.
AtthehighpointoftheNAE,neartheATCTower,theroadbendstotherightandtheviewopenstothe160thStreetoverpass,withthefirstdistantviewstotheregionallandscapebehindit.AsonepassesbeneaththeoverpassapanoramicviewoftheCascadeMountainsunfolds,accompaniedbyfeelingsofhopeandexcitementaboutarrivinginthePacificNorthwest.Beyondtheoverpasstheroaddescends.Heretravelersexperiencethesenseofrelaxationandreliefassociatedwithsuccessfullynavigatingtheirtravelexperience,andarrivinghomeoratanewplace.
FUTURESITECONDITIONS:
Future Site Elements
TheNAEwillchangesignificantlywiththemodificationsassociatedwithcurrentandfutureprojects.ThefollowinglistssummarizeelementsofPortofSeattleandSoundTransitprojectsthatwillchangethenorthentryintotheAirport.
PortofSeattleprojectelementscurrentlybeingdesigned:
• looprampsouthof160thStreetthatwillroutetrafficbacktotheterminal
• detentionpond,cover,andfencingonthesouthsideofthe160thStreetloopramp
• airfieldaccesstunnelcrossingundertheNAE,northof170thStreet
• realignmentofnorth-boundlanesbetweentheparkinggarageandairfieldaccesstunnel
• realignmentof170thStreet,includinganewoff-rampandNAEunderpass
• relocationofaccessroadsattheparkinggarage
• columns,retainingwalls,mechanically-stabilizedearth(MSE)walls,guardrails,barriers,andrailingsatvariouslocations
• embankmentsandplantingsonshouldersoftheNAE
• signagealongtheNAE• skybridgeconnectinglightrailstationto
parkinggarage• pedestrianwalkwaysthroughtheparking
garageconnectinglightrailstationtoterminal
SoundTransitprojectselementscurrentlybeingdesigned:
• elevatedlightrailstationatthenortheastcorneroftheairportparkinggarage
• at-gradelightrailtrackalignmentinthemedianoftheNAEstartingnorthof160thStreetandcontinuingto170thStreet
• aeriallightrailtrackalignmentalongsidenorthboundlanesoftheNAEbetween170thStreetandthelightrailstation
• columns,overheadcontactsystem(OCS)poles,andrailingsassociatedwithtrackalignmentandstation
• skybridgeovernorthboundlanesoftheNAEandInternationalBoulevard,connectinglightrailstationtodowntownSeaTac
• stairsconnectingskybridgetoapavedareaontheeastsideofInternationalBoulevard
PortofSeattleprojectelementsintheComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan:
• increasednumberofNAElanesinbothdirections
• pedestrianbridgecrossingovertheNAEneartheATCTower
• expansionofnorthendoftheexistingparkinggarage
TheartplanalsoconsidersWSDOTpropertyatandjustnorthoftheexisting160thStreetoverpass,includingsurfacesofthecolumnsandretainingwalls,trashscreensontheupperroad,andlandscapeareasinthemedianandattheshoulders.Noconstructionisplannedfortheseelements,buttheyaremajorvisualelementsassociatedwithenteringtheAirport.
view of Cascade Mountains, leaving the Airport
Choreography of Topography, Views, and Emotions
TheNAEfrom160thStreettotheAirportTerminalisapproximately1milelong.Shiftsalongbothitshorizontalandverticalalignmentsarecoupledwithasequenceofviewsthatismadecinematicbythemotionofthevehiclethattakesonethroughthesite.Theviewsarealsotelescopicinthewaytheyclose-inwhenenteringtheAirport,andexpandwiderwhenleaving.Changesinelevationandviewsarelinkedwithachoreographyofemotionsalsoexperienced.
EnteringtheAirport. ThemostcommonwayofarrivingattheAirportisbydrivingwestonHighway518.Thesteadyascentup518fromInterstate-5culminatesjustafterpassagethroughthe160thStreetunderpass,atthehighpointwheretheAirTrafficControl(ATC)Towerissited.Thisriseintheroadenhancesamoodofexcitementfeltinpeopleabouttoembarkonatrip,orforthosegoingtomeetfamilyandfriends.
Astheroadascendsthereisashiftingsetofviews.TheexpansiveprospectfromInterstate-5firstnarrowsintothesmallerviewcorridorofHighway518.Theexitrampfrom518passesthroughaseriesofunderpasses,endingat160thStreet.EachunderpassactsasaportalthatfurtherfocusestheviewtowardtheAirport.Justbeyondthe160thoverpassaclose-upcentralviewoftheATCTowerisdirectlyinfrontofenteringcars.
AttheATCTowerhighpointtheNAEbendstotheleft(duesouth)andbeginsagentledescenttowardtheAirportTerminal.ThisentryisaccompaniedbyaviewofairplanestotherightandaviewofMountRainiertotheleft.Abouttwo-thirdsofthewaytotheTerminaltheroadbendsleftagainanddescendsmoresharply.HeretheviewtoMountRainierisdirectlyinfrontofautopassengers,buttheirattentionisdivertedbysignsleadingcarsindifferentdirectionstoplanearrivalsanddeparturesandlong-andshort-termparking.
Thisportionofthedrive,rifewithdecisionpoints,canbeaccompaniedbyfeelingsofconfusionandanxietyaboutwhereoneisgoing,andgettingtotheTerminalintimetocatchaflightorpicksomeoneup.
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
Impacts of the Project
ThemajorimprovementtotheNorthAirportEntryasaresultofthelooprampandlightrailconstructionisthattrafficcongestionwillbereduced.OffurtherbenefitistheeaseofaccesstolightrailtransitthatAirporttravelersandemployeesandnearbyresidentswillenjoy.
Withthosebenefitscomeseveraldisadvantages.ThemajornegativeimpactsarethattheexpanseofconcretestretchingacrosstheNAEwillwiden,engulfingwhatiscurrentlyalandscapedmedianinthecenteroftheroad.RelocatingnorthboundlanesfurthereastalsocausesthelossofagreenbufferdividingInternationalBoulevardfromtheAirport,insomelocationsreplacingitwithalargeconcreteretainingwall.
Opportunities
DesignTeamCollaborations. Numerousopportunitiesexistforintegratingartintofunctionalaspectsoftheroadandlightrailconstruction.Thereareopportunitiesforartiststocollaboratewithengineersanddesignerstodeterminethesurfaces,andinmanycasesforms,ofwalls,columns,bridges,paving,fences,posts,railings,andotherelements.ThesedesignteamcollaborationsaredescribedinmoredetailintheArtProjectDescriptionssection.
RoleofLandscape. ArtthatincludesortiesintoplantingscanreinforcetheconnectionoftheAirportwithitscontextuallandscape.Although(andbecause)areasforplantsarelimited,artistscanworkwithdesignteamstointegrateplantsintothesiteincreativeways.Forinstance,a“hanginggarden”approachcouldbeappliedtomanyofthewallsurfaces,creatingamoreverticalplantingconfigurationratherthanconventionalhorizontalapplications.Inaddition,thereareseveraldistinctgroundsurfaceswhereexcitingnewplantingscanbeinstalled:
• aroundandwithinthe160thStreetloopramp• overthe25’-wideutilitycorridorwestofthe
NAE• alongtheeastsideoftheNAE• inbio-swalesontheshouldersoftheNAE• inleftoverspacesaroundtheon-rampandoff-
rampat170thStreet
Constraints
TheexteriorenvironmentoftheAirporthasuniqueconstraintsdefinedbytheFederalAviationAdministration,relatedtoairsafety.Artistswillberequiredtoresearchtheopportunitiesandconstraintsassociatedwiththeirparticularprojects.
Thefollowingconstraintsapplytotheroadandlightrailprojectsingeneral,includingitsartelements:
• concretesurfacetreatmentsmustnotinhibitseismichazardinspections
• artanddesignelementsmustnotdistractfromwayfindingandsafedriving,especiallyatdecisionpoints
• exteriorlightingmustnotcompromiseaviationrequirements
• plantingsmustnotattractwildlife,especiallybirds:
• avoidcombinationsofdiverseplantsandopenstandingwater
• avoidedible-lookingplants• tallconifersthatattractbaldeagles
shouldnotbeusednearrunways• aestheticwaterfeaturesshouldnotinclude
standingwater• thereisa30’clearzonearoundtheWSDOT
right-of-way• thereisa25’utilitycorridoralongthewest
sideoftheNAE,wherelargeplantsshouldbeavoided
• the160thStreetLoopRampProjectisonafast-trackschedule
• futureimprovementswillaltermanyareas
Wall of Cascades, Pascal Cribier, Lionel Guibert, Patrick Blanc
plaster model for steps and tiles, Isamu Noguchi
Kooriyama City (photograph), Toshio Shibata
existing landscape at 160th Street overpass
��
Experiencing the Future Airport Entry
TypesofUsers. PeoplewhowillpassthroughtheAirport’sNorthEntry,andexperienceartthere,include:
• frequentandinfrequenttravelers• peoplewhodropofforpickupfamilyand
friends• Airportandsupportindustryemployees• peoplewholiveorworkneartheAirport• commuterswhodriveorridethetrain
Artintegratedintothesiteshouldoffersomethingtoalltypesofpeoplewhotravelthroughit.ForinfrequentusersandpeoplearrivinginthePacificNorthwestforthefirsttimeitshouldbewelcomingandexudeasenseofoptimismandexcitement.Forfrequentuserstheartshouldcontinuetobeinterestingandinspiringuponmultipleviewings.Onewaytoachievethisisbyincludingelementsthattransformfromdaytonight,fromseasontoseason,throughshiftsinweather,andthroughviewerinteraction.
TypesofVehicles. Inalmostallcases,peoplewhoexperiencetheartwillbeinmotion,travelingthrough thesite.Itisimportantforartiststoconsiderhowdifferentmodesoftransportationwillaffectperceptionoftheartandsurroundinglandscape.
Vehicle Type Automobile,Taxi,Limousine,Van,Bus
Passengersanddriversprojectedintomise-en-scene
Engagementwithlandscape
Perspectiveviews Goodsenseofmotionandspeed
Driveraspartspectator,partactor,partdirector
Train Passengersasspectators
Detachmentfromlandscape
Panoramicdistantviewsandclose-upblurryviews
Excellentsenseofmotionandspeed
Fleetingimagescompressintocinematicsequences
Pedestrian Pedestriansprojectedintomise-en-scene
Engagementwithlandscape
Perspectiveviews Fairsenseofmotionandspeed
Pedestrianaspartspectator,partactor,partdirector
Airplane Passengersasspectators
Detachmentfromlandscape
Aerialdistantviews
Poorsenseofmotionandspeed,untillanding
Landing:shiftfromaerialtoobliquetopanoramicviews
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
User Role Landscape Role ViewsPerception ofMotion/Speed User Experience
Perception of Landscape through Different Modes of Transportation
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
Art and Design Guidelines Applicable to this Plan
PortofSeattleArtProgram.ThemissionofthePortofSeattle’sArtProgramisto“obtainhighqualitycontemporaryartthatengagesandreflectstheNorthwestcultureandenvironmentasexperiencedbydiversecultures.”
ArtGuidelinesforSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirport(1999).TheArtGuidelinesstatethatartshouldbelocatedin“highvisibility”places.Theysaythat“exteriorfacilitiesandgroundsrepresentsignificantareasforartworkinclusionandlendthemselveswelltotheexplorationoftheNorthwestNaturalEnvironment.”Inadditiontosimple“placement”ofartwork,theGuidelinesenvisionthe“integration”ofartintolandscapearchitecture,architecture,andwayfindingsystems,alsonotingthatartworkinstalledalongwithotherinfrastructureworkcanresultincostsavings.
AtthistimethereisonlyoneartworkintheAirportcollectionatanexteriorsite:RobertMaki’sCanaryII,whichwasrecentlyrelocatedfromtheCentralPlazatoagrassyplantedareaontheeastsideofTerminalA.However,formlinersdesignedbyartistCarolynBraaksmawillbeusedtocreatealargereliefmuralonaconcreteembankmentwallthatispartoftheThirdRunwayProjectcurrentlyinconstruction.AstoneandwaterfeaturedesignedbylandscapearchitectandartistRobertMuraseiswell-integratedwiththearchitectureandlandscapeonthesouthendoftheerminalDrive.Itisnotpartoftheartcollection,buthasastrongvisualpresencethatactivatesthearea.
PooledFundsArtMasterPlan(2003).ThereareseveralexteriorartprojectsidentifiedinthePooledFundsArtMasterPlan(byartistNorieSato)thatcouldbeconceivedasextendingtheentrysequence.TheseincludeprojectsonthelargeconcreteventshaftsonthewestsideoftheParkingGarage,outsidetheTerminalalongsidetheArrivalanndDepartureDrives,andatentrancesintotheSkybridgesfromtheParkingGarage-side.
DesignGuidelinesforSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirport(1999).TheDesignVisionisto“createamemorablesenseofplace,”withthesekeyaspects:
• useofProgressiveModernArchitecturetocontinuetheexistingarchitecture
• connectiontotheNorthwestnaturalenvironmentthroughlandscaping,sustainabledesign,responsivenesstonaturallightandviews,andmetaphoricreferences
• reflectionoftheNorthwestculturalenvironmentthroughprominentintegrationofartworkandculturalelements
ThereisaspecificguidelineaboutvehicularAirportentries:
Thearrivalexperienceforvehicularcustomersshouldbeginwithlarge“spectacular”landmarksignageatthecurrentnorthentranceandatthefuturesouthentrancetotrulyidentifythatonehasarrived,andtomakeanimpressionablestatementthatSea-Tacisaworldleadingairport.Thisstatementshouldbeadynamicorchestrationofsignage,art,lightingandlandscaping.Itshouldbeavisualstatementofagateway,reflectingtheexcitementofenteringthefirststageofatrip.
top: Canary II, Robert Maki
bottom: stone water feature, Robert Murase
right: exterior and interior views of the Central Terminal in 1949
TheDesignGuidelinesincludesomestrategiesthataredirectlyapplicabletoartandlandscapingprojectsfortheNorthAirportEntry:
• includeprominentintegrationofartworkatprimaryspaces
• integrateartworkandimprovedlightingatskybridges
• usegateways,focalpoints,orothertransitionalelementstoindicatearrivalsandclarifycirculationsystemsandwayfinding
• optimizeviews• integratefunctionalrequirementswithdesired
aestheticintent• usenativeplants• maintainnaturalwaterflowsandharvestsite
flows• avoidattractingwildlife• includelandscapingalongparkingstructures
Lightingguidelinesstatethatlightsshouldbeusedtoreinforcewayfinding,visualclarity,perceptionofplace,andconnectiontoandenhancementofthelandscape.ExteriorlightingsourcesrecommendedfortheAirportincludefluorescent,metalhalide,andQLinduction.Theyexcludehigh-pressuresodium,mercuryvapor,andincandescent.Tungstenhalogenispossibleforartwork.Recommendedexteriorlightingfixturesincludecastaluminumorheavygaugesteelwithpaintedsurfacesandfully-gasketedlenses.
��
CityofSeaTacDesignStandardsforHighCapacityTransitFacilities(1999).TheCity’sStandardsforStationDesignincludethefollowingrelevantpoints:
• stationshouldbeconsistentwithalocallydetermineddesigntheme
• rooflineshouldhaveanarchitecturalfocalpointorvariation
• principalgroundlevelexteriorentrypointsshouldincludeaminimumof200squarefeetofdecorativepaving
LandscapeDesignGuidelinesforSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirport(2000).TheprincipalthemeoftheLandscapeGuidelinesistoevokeaspectsofaPacificNorthwestEvergreenForest,including:immenseverticalscale,richlytexturedfloor,glimpsesandvistas,anddrizzleandmists.SupportingthemesincludeallusionstotheNaturalEnvironmentandCulturalEnvironment.
TheLandscapeGuidelinesdiscusswaystotiespecialfeaturesintotheemotionalchoreographyofthehighwayexperience.Tobuildonanticipation,theysuggest,“thelongstretchesofhighwayleadingtotheairportaresuitablelocationsforpresentingscenery,art,orlargescaleinterpretiveelementsthatframeviews...”
top: existing plantings in median and on shoulder of NAE
bottom: layered embankments as landscape opportunity
right: International Boulevard
TheLandscapeGuidelinesincludesomestrategiesthataredirectlyapplicabletoartandlandscapingprojectsfortheNorthAirportEntry:
• useevergreenPugetSoundforestplantings• reuseroadwaystormwaterrunoff• createa“CascadePortal”forthe160thStreet
Overpass—“amisty,sculpturalwaterfallembracingtheoverpassstructureandframingtheroadway”
• wheretheAirTrafficControlTowerisonaxiswiththeroad,reinforceitsdramaticverticalexpressionwith“largesculpturalshapes,highlightedwithcolorandaccentlighting”
• treatthefuturebridgefromtherapidtransitstationtoInternationalBoulevardasadramaticgatewayframingthecitycentercore
• makenewandexistingwallsbetweentheNAEandInternationalBoulevardintolushplantedgreenwalls
• makenewwallsbetweentheNAEandInternationalBoulevardauniformheight,toscreencarsfromInternationalBoulevard
• install“hanginggardens”(ferns,vines,andcascadingshrubs)ontheparkingstructureandskybridges
• parkinggarageinteriorsshouldbetreatedwithlighting,colors,signs,andart
• providecluesofprevailingwinddirection
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
“Emeraldoffersusrarityandsparkle…Agreencityprovidesanidealreflectionofnature;acitynotinoppositiontotheforest,butahumanizedversion ofit.Itisthecityasadazzlinggarden,adreamofnatureperfected.”The Emerald CitybyDanielWillis
PORTOFSEATTLEARTPROJECT:
EMERALD CITY
Site:
• PortofSeattlepropertyincludingthe160thLoopRampunderpassandsurroundinglandscape
• WSDOTpropertynorthofandincludingtheexisting160thStreetunderpass
Budget:
• $800,000,includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
Potential Art Elements:
• sculpture• lights• time/temperaturedisplay• enhancementstowalls,columns,fences,
detentionpondcover,andoverpasstrashscreens
• earthworksculptingandgrading• plants• Airportentry/welcomesign
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
Concepts:
• Createanarchetypalandutopianplace,withreferencestoboththeregionalPacificNorthwestenvironmentandquixoticplacesassociatedwithtravelingtoanewlocation.
• Appealtothesenseofwonder,possibility,andexcitementassociatedwithflight,return,andarrivalatanewplace.
• Conveytheparadoxicalrelationshipoftheuniversalhumandreamsofwantingtoleaveandwantingtogohome.
• Createaformof“citygates”thatmarkaportaltotheNorthwestenvironment,andaportaltoSeattle-TacomaInternationalAirport.
• ExploretherelationshipoftheEnglishword“ecology”withitsGreekroot“oikos,”meaninghome.
Goals:
• Uselarge-scaleartthatengagesvehicleandraildriversandpassengers,butdoesnotdistractdriversfromviewingsignage.
• Createarteffectsthatareactivatedbyweatherandclimateevents,especiallyrain,toconveytheconceptofTransformation.
• Includelighting,fortransformationsofartfromdaytonight.
• Explorereplacingtheexistingtime/temperaturesignwithanartist-designedentry/welcomesignand/orclock,possiblythatdisplaysthetimeinseveraldifferenttimezones.Thisfeaturecouldalsoincludeweatherconditionssuchastemperature,winddirectionandspeed,andbarometricpressure,conveyingtheconceptofTransformationinamoreliteralmanner.
• Tieintocontextualspatialrelationships:layeringofroadways,circularloop,ascentsanddescentsinelevation,viewstomountainsandATCTower.
• CollaboratewithengineersandlandscapearchitectstointegratefunctionalelementsoftheLoopRampareaintoacohesivespatialcompositionthatcreatesamemorableplace.Retainingwallsandsculpturalgradingthatrelatetothegeometryofthelooproadcanenhancethespatialqualityoftheenvironment,withthecircularformofthelooproadprovidinga“frame”forthiscomposition.ThetrashscreensreceivedbySoundTransitandWSDOTcanbecomeapartoftheoverallartconcept.
• Treatsomeprojectelements(suchaswallsandcolumns)asfunctionalartworks.
• TieintoecologicalaspectsofthePacificNorthwest,andconveyamessageofenvironmentalstewardship.(Forinstance,stormwatercapturedfromtheLoopRampmaybeprojectedthroughsculpturalchannelsintofilteringplantings.)
• Accompanyartwithanextensiveuseofplants:evergreengroundcovers,shrubs,andtrees onembankments,vinesandmossonsomewalls.
• Collaboratewithlandscapearchitectstodesignnewplantingsatthe160thStreetsite,
aswellasalongtheentireNAEcorridor.
top left: Lehigh Airports Competition Entry, 1929
top right: Greening of Man-hattan, by James Wines
bottom left: Poster for Se-attle Worlds’ Fair, 1962
bottom right: Pacific North-west forest
��
Emerald City as a Dichotomous Threshold:
Therearetwosidesof“EmeraldCity”thatplayoffandblendintoeachother,bothintegratingthemesofnatureandtechnologyinherenttothePacificNorthwest.Thetwosidesshouldbestronglyunified.
OnesideistheEntry into the Airport,aroundthesouthboundlanesoftheNAEandframingaviewoftheAirTrafficControlTower.ArthereshouldannounceentryintotheoftensurrealatmosphereoftheAirportenvironment,conveyingafantasticabstractionofnature.Cuttingedgematerials,formsandprocesses(possiblyreflectingalternativeenergy)shouldbeexplored.Plantsaccompanyingtheartshouldhaveatheatrical,almost“artificial”quality.
Theothersideof“EmeraldCity”istheExit out of the Airport,aroundthenorthboundlanesoftheNAEandincludingtheareawithinthenewloopramp.ThisexitprecedesabroadviewoftheCascadeMountains,andadescentintotheKentValley.ArthereshouldannounceentryintothePacificNorthwest,conveyingahyper-realaccentuationofnature.Plantsaccompanyingtheartshouldevokeahighly“natural”quality.
EMERALD CITY
left: Emerald City artwork diagram
left: Wizard of Oz (film still), Victor Freming dir.
entry into the Airport (below/top): Loloma Transit Center, by Vito Acconci Tokyo Tower Millennium Lighting, by Motoko Ishii Blue Tilt, by Jenny Holzer Okinawa Night for the World Summit, by Motoko Ishii
exit out of the Airport (below/bottom): Chelsea Flower Show entry (glass trough), by Christopher Bradley-Hole Study Wall at University of Washington, by Tom Drugan Honkawane Town, Shizuoka Prefecture (photograph), byToshio ShibataPlayground for Riverside Drive Park (model), by Isamu Noguchi
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
PORTOFSEATTLE&SOUNDTRANSITJOINTARTPROJECT:
TRANSCENDENT CITY
Site:
• SoundTransitSkybridgeconnectingLightRailStationtoInternationalBoulevard
• PortofSeattleSkybridge&GarageWalkwayconnectingLightRailStationtoAirportTerminal
•EntryPortalofexistingPortofSeattleSkybridgeconnectingGaragetoTerminal
Budget:
• SoundTransitSkybridge:$200,000,includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
• PortofSeattleSkybridge&Walkway:tobedetermined
Potential Art Elements:
• sculpturalportals• architecturally-integratedelements• enhancementstoglazing• lights• digitalmedia• sound• interactivepieces
Goals:
• Usemedium-andlarge-scaleartthatengagespedestrianswalkingthroughandvehiclespassingbeneaththeskybridges.
• Attentionshouldbepaidtoentryandexitportalsattheendsoftheskybridges.InadditiontothetwoskybridgesattheStation,theartmayalsoaddresstheentryportaloftheexistingskybridgethatlinkstheGarageandAirportTerminal,tocreateacontinuousseriesofartexperiences.
• Createarteffectsthatareactivatedbythetransmission,reflection,andrefractionofsunlight,artificiallight,anddigitalmediatocreateasenseoftransienceandradianceandconveytheconceptofTransformation.
• Artmayincludeasoundcomponent.• Tieartintoinformationtechnologyofthenew
Northwest.• Artmaybelinkedtoviewsofairplanesfrom
thenorthsideoftheAirportskybridge.• Explorecollaboratingwithdesignteamsto
conceiveoftheskybridgestructuresasart.• DesignartfortheskybridgetotheAirportso
itcanberelocatedtoapermanentskybridgewhentheGarageisexpandedinthefuture.ArtistmaybecommissionedbythePortofSeattletomakeadjustmentswhenthatphaseofworkoccurs.
• ArtordesigntreatmentsmayalsobeconsideredforthewalkwayintheGaragethatlinkstheStationtotheAirport,althoughthatshouldnotbethefocusoftheartproject.
Concepts:
• CreatealandmarkgatewaytotheAirportatthewestskybridge,andtotheCityofSeaTacattheeastskybridge.
• Expressashiftfromgravityattheeastendtoetherealityatthewestend.
• TapintothepalpablesenseofparallelworldsandmultipletimezonesthatconvergeattheAirport.
• Synthesizemetaphorsintoadenseamalgamoflayeredmeanings.
• Createartthatissynthetic,futuristic,rapid.• Usediscontinuitiesinspaceandtimetocreate
gapscompletedintheviewer’smind.• Createartexperiencedfromwithin,atamore
microscopic,kaleidescopiclevelofnuanceanddetailthan“EmeraldCity.”
• PortraylocalthemesinanabstractlanguagethatalsospeakstothesurrealqualitiesoftheAirportenvironment.
The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even, diagrambyMarcelDuchamp
early airplane tie frame
��
TRANSCENDENT CITY
left: Passerelle, GD Architects
below/top: Negev Monument, Dani KaravanGalaxy, James TurrellGlass, Christopher Janney
below/bottom: River of Light, Mikyoung Kim Museum of the City, Steven HollPerforming Lightworks, James Turrel
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�0 NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
SOUNDTRANSITARTPROJECT:
LINEAR CITY
Site:
• At-GradeandAerialLightRailAlignmentintheMedianoftheNAEroadway,from160thStreettotheLightRailStation
Budget:
• $200,000includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
• constructioncreditsforartist-designedfunctionalelementsmaybeappliedtoartbudget
• additionalfundingfromthePortofSeattleispossible
Potential Art Elements:
• sculpturaltopsattachedtooverheadcontactsystem(OCS)poles
• bandingonOCSpoles• coatingsonrailingsandOCSpoles• enhancementstoaerialguidewaycolumns
andtrackbedpaving
Goals:
• Uselarge-scaleartthatengagesvehicleandraildriversandpassengers.
• Thelightrailalignmentreplacesaplantedmedianwithlargeexpansesofconcreteandsteel.Usearttomitigatethisnegativeimpactbyincorporatingcolorintotheart,andothermeans.
• ExplorecreatingtopsforOCSpolesthatareactivatedbywinddirectionand/orspeed.OCS elementsmustbelowmaintenanceandwillbetheresponsibilityofSoundTransit.
• Focusonformandcolor,astexturaldetailwillnotbewell-perceived.
• Exploreusingchangesincolorand/orformtoconveytheconceptofTransformation.
• ArtistcanspecifycolorsandtosomeextenttypesofcoatingsforrailingsandOCSpoles.(Thecostforthisenhancementislikelypartofthebaseconstructionbudget.)
• Useartasapassivewayfindingfeature(forexample,adriverknowsit’stimetolookforthearrivalexitwhentherailingsturnblue).
• Exploreusingarttoenacta“specialevent”whenthealignmentbecomeselevated.
• Exploreusingintegralcolorintheconcretecolumns,aerialguideway,andtrackbedpaving.
• Iffeasible,integrateplantsintoart.• Exploretheuseofspecialmaterialsinthegaps
betweenthetopsoftheguidewaycolumns
andthebottomsofthecapitals,tocreateanillusionthattheaerialguidewayis“floating.”Thosejointsare6-8”wide,withneoprenebearingsthatwillbechangedperiodically.
• Thecolumnsarenotchedontwosidessodrainagepipescanbeinsetandhidden.Explorecreatingafunctionalinterventionwheredrainageiscelebratedratherthanhidden,workingwithengineerstoensureproperdrainage.
Concepts:
• CreateasequenceofartthatunifiesthesitebylinkingtheAirportEntryGatewayArtworksatitsnorthandsouthends.
• UsearttoexpressaconceptualTransformationbetweenthenorthandsouthends,tyingintoormanifestingthespace-timeaxis.
• ExploreartthatisactivatedbywindtoexpresstheconceptofTransformation,theideaofflight,andthemotionofthetrainwhenitisnotthere.
• Exploretheuseofrhythm,repetition,narrative,andsyncopationtobuilduponshiftsinviews,emotions,andtopographyinherenttothesite.
Special Site Considerations:
• OCSpolesareH-sectionsoccurringapproximately150-180’apartalongtheone-milecorridor.
• ConnectingsculpturaltopstotheOCSpoleswillrequireengineering.Lightmaterialssuchascastpolycarbonateoraluminummightworkbest.
• Thealignmentdoesnothavelow-voltagepower,solightingisnoteasilypossiblewithouttransformersandwiring.However,photovoltaicsorotheralternativeenergysystemscanbeexplored.
• Concretehighwaybarriers(almost3’tall)willseparatethelightrailalignmentfromtheNAEonbothsides.Railingsmayalsobeused.
• AlthoughelementsofthelightraillinewhereartwillbelocatedareSoundTransitproperty,thealignmentisalongaright-of-waythroughPortofSeattleproperty.ThePort,aswellasSoundTransit,willreviewallcomponentsandstagesofthisproject.
windmills and roads, Tahachapi, California
��
LINEAR CITY
left: Miami Line, Rockne Krebs
below/top: EDF Pylons, Kathryn GustafsonTerrasson (windvane), Kathryn Gustafson Shift and Turn, Topher DelaneyOCS poles for Seattle’s Rainier Valley, Norie Sato and Dan Corson
below/bottom: Oliver Garden, Topher Delaney Trackbed design for San Francisco’s 3rd Street, Ken Smith San Diego Children’s Hospital, Topher Delaneyphoto-simulation of colored railing
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
SOUNDTRANSITARTPROJECT:
CELESTIAL CITY
Site:
• LightRailStation
Budget:
• $150,000,includesdesignfee,fabrication,andinstallation
Potential Art Elements:
• windscreens,elevatorglazingordoors,pavement,orotherarchitecturally-integratedelements
• suspendedpieces• interactivepieces
Goals:
• Usesmall-tomedium-scaleartthatengagespedestrianswaitingfortrains.
• Collaboratewiththedesignteamtointegrateartintoelementsofthestation.
• ExplorethepotentialtodesigntheentireStationasanartwork,ortolinkartconceptswitharchitecturalconcepts.(SeerequirementintheCityofSeaTacDesignStandardsstatingthattransitstationsshouldexpressathemeandincludeanarchitecturalfocalpoint.)
• Exploretheuseoftwo-dimensionalimagery,sincespaceforfree-standingartislimited.
Concepts:
• Createafocalpointthatcrystallizestheintersectionofthespace-to-timeandgravity-to-etherealitycross-axes,andtheTransformationthatoccursbetweentheirpoles.
• Explorecreatingaverticalaxisofart,connectingcelestialandterrestrialplanes.
Artmightpotentiallybeginontheundersideoftheaerialguideway,andpiercethroughthemezzanineandplatformlevels,pointingtothesky.
• Support“flight”themeofstationarchitecture.• Exploretherelationshipbetweenlocalwind
conditionsandfunctionsoftheAirport.• Thestationwillhaveaninterpretivedisplay
aboutthe“EpicoftheWind”myth,alocalNativeAmericanstorythatincludestransformationsofcharactersandlandforms.Explorethepotentialoftyingartintothismyth.Ifthisoptionispursued,artistmaycoordinatewithMuckleshoottribeforcontent
Roden Crater (skyspace), James Turrell
��
CELESTIAL CITY
below: Curving Linear (train station), Shuhui Endo Wind Veil, Ned Kahnetched glass at Ransom Center, Austin
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
SOUNDTRANSITARTPROJECT:
TERRESTRIAL CITY
Site:
• Base ofSkybridgeonInternationalBoulevard
Budget:
• tobedetermined
Potential Art Elements:
• pavement• lightsandprojections• sculpture• interactivepieces• waterfeature• plants
Goals:
• ItisrecommendedthattheCityconsiderincludingartworkhereaspartofitsfuturedevelopment.
• Explorethepotentialforanartisttocollaborateonthedesignteamfortheoverallproject,integratingartconceptsthroughouttheentirepublicspacetocreateauniquemeetingplace.
• Scaleofartshouldbedeterminedinconjunctionwithdevelopmentofthecontextualarea.Ingeneral,usesmall-tomedium-scalearttoengagepedestrianswhoarestanding,walking,sitting,orwaitingforabus;usemedium-tolarge-scalearttoengagevehicledriversandpassengers.
• Explorecreatingartthatcanbeviewedfrombuildingsandairplanesabove.
• Considerfocusingartonpavingelements.(SeerequirementintheCityofSeaTacDesignStandardsthataminimumof200squarefeetofdecorativepavementbeusedatprincipalgroundlevelentrypointstotransitstations.)
• Consideraccompanyingartwithlandscapeenhancementsand/orarchitecturalpavement,suchasilluminatedimagesprojectedontospecialpaving.
• ExplorespecificthemesandformsforartwithrepresentativesoftheCityofSeaTac.
Concepts:
• Thisisthe“touchdown”pointoftheartplanarea,theonespotwherepedestrians’feetmeettheground—thelevelatwhichmosthumanlifetakesplace.Exploretheuseofartintegratedintopavement,ortheelementofearth,toexpressthisconditionofthesitethatmakesituniqueinthecontextoftheNorthAirportEntry.
• CreateagatewayintotheCityofSeaTacthatexpressesthefuturepossibilityofagrowingcityuniquelylocatedatthenexusofthemajorair,road,andrailtransportationnetworksservingthisregion.
• DrawonthecurrentdevelopmentoftheCityofSeaTactoexpresstheconceptofTransformation.
• Referencesomethingempiricallyrealtoevokeasensethatthesiteisgroundedintheparticularsubstanceandcultureofanactualplace.
• Inadditiontoexpressingthefutureopportunityassociatedwiththecity’sgrowth,exploretheuseofartasanexpressionofthearea’sgeography(Highlinetopography),geology(glacialdeposits,spring-fedlakes),culturalhistorywiththeland(agriculture),andtransportationcorridors(originalbrickhighways).
• Useacontemporaryaesthetictorepresentandabstracthistoricalthematiccontent.
brickworks in India
��
TERRESTRIAL CITY
left: Berlin Asphalt Painting, Topotek below: Paving, unknown artistUndercurrents, Laura HaddadRooftop Maze, Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
FUTUREPORTOFSEATTLEARTPROJECT:
Airport Parking Garage Extension
Site:• ExteriorofParkingGarage,especiallyfocusing
onfuturenorthwallandnorthwestcorner.
Goals:• CreateagatewayintotheAirportTerminal.• Uselarge-scaleartthatengagesvehicular
passengers.• Createarchitecturally-integratedsurface
treatmentsorsculpturalattachments.• Accompanywithevergreenplantings(shrubs
andvines)alongthewestfaceoftheGarage.
Concepts:• Extendconceptsofthe“TranscendentCity”
artwork:portraytheideaofparallelworldsandmultipletimezonesthatconvergeattheAirportthroughtheairplanesandcarstravelinginandoutofitsenvironment.(Forinstance,eachfloorlevelcouldexpressadifferentlayerofparalleluniverses.)
URBANDESIGNENHANCEMENTS:
PlantsPlantingsshouldaccompanytheartprojects.InkeepingwithrecommendationsoftheLandscape Design Guidelines,careshouldbetakentoincludea richpaletteofplantsatallavailablesurfacesalongtheNorthAirportExpresswayanditsadjacentareas.Thismayincludegroundcovers,shrubs,andtreesonembankments,aswellasvinesclimbingonwalls.
AplanfordifferenttypesoflandscapeplantingsacrosstheNorthAirportEntryareaisintendedtoaccompanyandenrichtheConceptualVisionforartaswellasgoalsforindividualartprojects.Forinstance,strongevergreenbordersonthesidesoftheNAEmayaccompanythe“LinearCity”artwork.Inadditiontoactingasabuffertothedenselybuiltcontextualenvironment,theconstancyoftheevergreenplantscanactasacounterpointtotheTransformationoftheart,enhancingitsperception.Walls
Whenpossible,andwhennottreatedascanvasesforart,existingandnewretainingwallsshouldbetreatedas“greenwalls,”withplantsgrowingonandinfrontofthem.ThisisparticularlyapplicableforwallsbetweentheNorthAirportExpresswayandInternationalBoulevard.
Considerdesigningnewwallssothatlargesurfacesarebrokenup.Thiscanoccurspatially,withazig-zagconfiguration,ortexturally,withpatternsappliedbyformliners(asalternativestostandardsplit-finfinish).Newwalltreatmentsshouldbedesignedtointegratewellwiththeexistingcontiguouswallthatextendstothesouthandwillremain.
existing north side of parking garage signage on northwest corner
existing wall between NAE and International Boulevard
�� PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
�� NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
IMPLEMENTING THE ART PLAN
Artist Selection Methods
DirectSelection.Becauseofthefast-trackscheduleforthePortofSeattle’s160thLoopRampandSoundTransitEnablingprojects(60%DesignDocumentsaredueinJuly2005),artistinterventionisrequirednowforthe“EmeraldCity”artproject.Itisrecommendedthattheartplannerswhodevelopedthisartplan,Haddad|Drugan,becommissionedtoimplementthe“EmeraldCity”project.Thistakesadvantageofcomplexknowledgeabouttheprojectandrelationshipswiththedesignteamthattheyhaveacquiredthroughworkingontheartplan.
InvitationalCompetitions.Selectionofartistsforthe“TranscendentCity,”“LinearCity,”and“CelestialCity”projectsshouldbegroupedintooneprocess.ItisrecommendedthatthatacuratorialgroupconsistingofrepresentativesofSoundTransit,thePortofSeattle,andtheartplannerteamselectapoolofpotentialartistsforeachofthethreecommissions.SoundTransit’sartistrosterwillbetheprimaryresourceforidentifyingthepools,butartistsofinterestwhoarenotalreadyontherostermayalsobeconsidered.Artistsselectedforthepoolswillthenbecontactedandgivenmoreinformationabouttheproject(s)forwhichtheyarebeingconsidered.Thosewhoareinterestedintheproject(s)mayelecttosubmitadditionalmaterials,suchasaletterthataddressestheirinterestinandinitialapproachtothespecificopportunity.
Aselectionpanelconsistingoftheartplanners,atleastoneotherartist,representativesfromthedesignteam(s),andrepresentativesofthePortofSeattle
andSoundTransitwillbeassembledtoreviewtheartists’materialsandidentifyasmallgroupoffinaliststointerviewforeachproject.Priortotheirinterviews,theshortlistofartistswillbegivenanorientationtotheconceptualvisionoftheartplanandspecificgoalsfortheindividualproject(s)forwhichtheyarebeingconsidered.TheartplannersandrepresentativesofSoundTransitandthePortofSeattlewillconductthisorientation.Theselectionpanelwillthenreconvenetointerviewtheartists,andmakefinalartistselectionsbasedonpastwork,interviews,references,andartists’understandingofandvisionsfortheproject.
OpenCompetition.Itisrecommendedthatartistselectionforthe“TerrestrialCity”projectbeconductedthroughanopencallforartists,limitingthecalltoregionalartistswhohaveanunderstandingofSeaTacandwhoareavailabletoworkwiththecommunity.
Aselectionpanelconsistingofoneoftheartistplanners,anotherartist,atleastonecommunitymember,arepresentativefromthedesignteamworkingonthesitedevelopment,andrepresentativesfromtheCityofSeaTacwillbeassembledtoreviewtheartists’materials.Ashortlistofartistswillbeidentifiedtobeinterviewedortodevelopartworkproposals.Thepanelwillreconvenetoconductinterviewsorreviewproposals,andmakeafinalartistselection.
Criteria for Artist Selection
Althoughnotessentialtothesuccessofhowtheartprojectsareperceivedonanindividuallevel,theunderlyinggoalofthisartplanistolinktheprojectssothattheirimpliedinteractioncreatesitsownconceptualartwork.Becausetheprojectsstretchoveranareaofmorethanamile,onewaytoenhancethiseffectistocommissionartistswhoworkincomplimentarystyles.InkeepingwiththeDesign Guidelines’visionofusingProgressiveModernArchitecture,artistsselectedforprojectsshouldhaveatimelessaestheticthatwillcontinuetofeel“modern”throughlimitlesspossibilitiesoffutureAirporttransformations.
Theseartistswillbestrongconceptualthinkerswithasite-specificapproachtomakingart.Theywillbeexperiencedatworkingondesignteams,andwithenvironmentalprocessesandarchitecturalintegration.Artistsshouldhaveabroadknowledgeofexteriormedia,andshouldexhibitamodernisttruthtomaterialsintheirpastwork.
ArtistsworkingonprojectsthatinterfacewiththeCityofSeaTacshouldhaveexperienceworkingwithcommunities.
Art Project Development
Artistsselectedforthe“TranscendentCity,”“LinearCity,”and“CelestialCity”projectswillmeetwiththeartplannersandrepresentativesofthePortofSeattleandSoundTransitpriortodevelopingconcepts.Thepurposeofthesemeetingswillbetofurtherorienttheartiststospecificissues,concepts,andgoalsthathavebeenidentifiedforeachproject,andtoansweranyquestionstheymayhaveattheonset.
Artistswillprimarilyworkontheirown,andincollaborationwiththeirrespectivedesignteams.However,ifprojectdevelopmentschedulescoincide,projectartistsshouldcommunicatewitheachotherduringtheconceptualdesignphasetoexchangeideas.
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Art Project Review
Reviewswillbeconductedatmilestonepointsastheartprojectsareindesigndevelopment.
TheAirportLinkUrbanDesignReviewCommittee,whichincludesrepresentativesofthePortofSeattle,SoundTransit,andtheCityofSeaTac,hasbeenformedtoreviewartandarchitectureprojectsatandadjacenttotheAirportthathavetodowithlightrailconstruction.Thestructureofthedesignreviewprocesswilbedeterminedbyalloftheagenciesinvolved,butitisanticipatedthatthiscommitteewillbeaprimaryreviewer.
ArtprojectsonPortofSeattlepropertywilladditionallybereviewedbythePortofSeattle’sArtOversightCommitteeandRoadwayProjectsVisualReviewCommittee.
WSDOTwillreviewanyprojectsontheirproperty.
Aspecialconditionexistsforthe“LinearCity”project.Theselectedartistwillbeaskedtoproposeconcepts,studyfeasibility,andprovidebudgetsforvariousartconceptsandelements,someofwhichwillbeenhancementstofunctionalpiecesfundedthroughthebaseconstructionbudget.Areviewwilloccuratthecompletionofthatphaseofwork,afterwhichadditionalfunding(ifany)willbeidentifiedandtheartistwillbegivendirectionaboutwhichconceptstodevelop.Theformatandpanelmembersforthatreviewwillbedeterminedastheprojectdevelops,andwillincluderepresentativesofthePortofSeattleandSoundTransit.
Projectsshouldbereviewedwiththefollowingcriteria:
• conceptualcontent• adherencetoartplanconceptualvisionand
guidingprinciples• coordinationwithotherartprojectsidentified
intheartplan• qualityofwork• appropriatenessofmaterials,forms,andscale• integration/interventionintocontext• safety• maintenance• budget• schedule
IMPLEMENTING THE ART PLAN
�0 NORTH AIRPORT ENTRY ART PLAN
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