The Departure Solution | Check-In + Ticketing
The Departure Solution | Path to TSA
The Departure Solution | Escalator to TSA
The Departure Solution | TSA Queue Line
The Departure Solution | Corridor to Gate
The Departure Solution | Gate Waiting Area
The Departure Solution | Gate 23
The Arrival Solution | Security Barrier
The Arrival Solution | Vertical Transportation
The Arrival Solution | Path to Baggage Claim
The Arrival Solution | Baggage Claim
ABSTRACT
Current airport terminals lack efficiency due to poor navigation through spaces. A passenger’s experience from the point of arrival to departure involves navigating unknown, traffic heavy checkpoints in order to reach boarding gates. The purpose of this re-design is to create a people oriented travel experience by improving traffic circulation, wayfinding, and flexible waiting areas.
Domestic and international traffic are increasing as flights become commonplace, challenging the fragmented, additive design of U.S. airports. Limited space and amenities make efficiency highly desirable while maintaining successful security. However, the organization of passenger movement and speed is dependent on physical as well as visual encounters. These encounters determine lasting impressions of a new city or country, influencing return visits.
SITE RELATIONSHIP
The airport is a 325,000 sq. ft. facility with over two million passengers annually. Located near Syracuse University, the airport brings in college students and their families year round. An example of a small airport supporting high passenger loads, the building functioned as a perfect test site for studying the efficiency of air travel.
Geological Zoom-In
Syracuse Int'l Airport | Existing Lobby
Syracuse Int'l Airport | Existing Check-In + Ticketing
Syracuse Int’l Airport | Existing Escalator to TSA
Syracuse Int'l Airport | Existing Terminal A Waiting Area
Syracuse Int'l Airport | Existing Vertical Transportation
Syracuse Int'l Airport | Existing Baggage Claim
USER EXPERIENCE
Domestic and international traffic are increasing as flights become commonplace, challenging the fragmented, additive design of U.S. airports. Limited space and amenities make efficiency highly desirable while maintaining successful security. However, the organization of passenger movement and speed is dependent on physical as well as visual encounters. These encounters determine lasting impressions of a new city or country, influencing return visits.
The diagrams below illustrate how increased traffic impacts queue distances, an activity passengers participate in at each terminal check point.
PRECEDENT 1 |
CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS INT’L AIRPORT
The redesigned main terminal embraces the concept of familiarity as design, incorporating a blue gingham pattern inspired by Carolina’s textile history. Blue acts as a consistent visual tie from checkpoint to checkpoint, a clear distinction against the neutral color scheme of the interior. As they move away from the exterior’s natural light, optimal travel paths are identified through icons
and arrows.
PRECEDENT 2 |
NARITA INT’L AIRPORT
Streamlining the concept of arrival and departure in their new Terminal 3 design,
this facility used a track field as inspiration. Integrating a literal approach to way finding, colors act as a guide to airport destinations. Blue indicates the departures and red for arrivals, which sorts passengers into two traffic flows.
Using the precedents as inspiration, Syracuse Int’l Airport’s redesign incorporates consistent color and signage as visual direction
MAPPING THE
PASSENGER JOURNEY
Proposing an improved wayfinding and traffic solution required mapping the various interactions and paths a passenger encounters along the way to their gate. To simplify the two types of passengers, arrivals and departures, I separated the airport into two parts. The blue paths indicate the path a passenger departing might take, and the yellow paths vice versa.
A series of sketches, bubble diagrams, and floor plans studying these interactions in greater depth were produced over the course of this capstone study. The diagrams below are a sample of the space studies that took place.
