Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) is one of the busiest airports in the USA, handling 51.8 million passengers in 2019. Its international passenger numbers have doubled over the past 10 years to 5.7 million in 2019, meaning that the original 1970s international arrivals facility (IAF) is no longer fit for purpose.
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Taking inspiration from the nature that surrounds it, architects SOM designed the new facility to create an immediate sense of place for all arriving passengers. “One of the unique design opportunities for the IAF was creating a visual connection to the stunning landscape, allowing arriving passengers to immediately experience the changing sky and forest of trees, with views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic range.” explains Michael Duncan, design partner at SOM. “The team was inspired to create a procession of light-filled spaces that celebrate this connection to the landscape while seamlessly moving passengers through the international arrivals process.”