Architecture News

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has unveiled a remarkable transformation of its Concourse C, a project spearheaded by the architectural visionaries at The Miller Hull Partnership and Woods Bagot. This monumental undertaking, conceived under the ambitious 'Upgrade SEA' program launched in 2023, not only redefines the passenger experience but also sets new benchmarks for sustainable airport infrastructure. The expansion significantly increases the facility's footprint, introducing innovative design features and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Seattle-Tacoma Airport's Concourse C Expansion: A Fusion of Nature and Innovation

In a pioneering collaboration, The Miller Hull Partnership and Woods Bagot have brought to fruition the C Concourse Expansion (CCE) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, aligning with the Port of Seattle's comprehensive modernization efforts. This expansive project, which encompasses Concourse C and portions of Concourse D, has effectively more than doubled the original building's area by adding four additional levels. The architectural highlight is an imposing timber-clad 'Tree' structure that arches gracefully over a central gathering space, serving as a symbolic nod to the Pacific Northwest's lush forests and acting as a central point of orientation for travelers.

The building's exterior is characterized by a distinctive wedge shape, crowned with a gently sloped roof adorned with photovoltaic panels, signifying the airport's commitment to renewable energy. A crinkled glass facade, featuring alternating south and west-facing panels, is equipped with electrochromic technology. This intelligent glass adapts to varying light conditions, minimizing glare and maximizing natural daylight, thereby enhancing passenger comfort and offering panoramic views of the airfield and the Olympic Range. Rich Whealan, a principal at The Miller Hull Partnership, emphasized how the concourse dynamically responds to the region's unique light and weather patterns, ensuring an optimal interior environment regardless of external conditions.

Internally, the concourse revolves around a vibrant 'marketplace' area, featuring stadium-style seating and the aforementioned timber-paneled 'Tree' that extends its design onto the ceiling. This central hub is flanked by diverse food and retail kiosks, creating an engaging and functional space for passengers. The expansion also boasts an open-air lookout terrace on its upper levels, offering unparalleled views of the airstrip, enclosed by glass walls and sheltered by the solar panel canopy above.

The CCE project marks several significant 'firsts' for SEA, including the installation of the airport's inaugural photovoltaic panels and the implementation of an all-electric system. Furthermore, it is poised to become the first airport facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification, underscoring its dedication to environmental excellence. Complementary enhancements across the airport include wider roadways and an upgraded baggage handling system, with further developments planned for the international terminal. This initiative follows Woods Bagot's recent successes at LAX and Western Sydney International Airport, both notable for their use of timber paneling, and The Miller Hull Partnership's recent renovation of a Brutalist university library in California.

The successful completion of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Concourse C expansion stands as a testament to innovative architectural design and a forward-thinking approach to sustainable development. This project beautifully integrates natural elements with cutting-edge technology, creating a passenger experience that is both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. It serves as a compelling model for future airport developments globally, showcasing how modern infrastructure can harmoniously blend with environmental responsibility and regional identity. As travelers navigate this newly enhanced space, they will undoubtedly appreciate the thoughtful design that prioritizes comfort, connection to nature, and a sustainable future.

Cubo Architects has officially unveiled the Kornmarken Campus, a cutting-edge innovation and manufacturing hub situated within the expansive Lego campus in Billund, Denmark. This distinctive building, a fusion of mass timber and concrete, houses Lego's dedicated innovation and manufacturing divisions. Its design, conceived by Cubo, prominently features enlarged Technic blocks on its exterior, ensuring an immediate visual connection to the iconic toy brand. Located in proximity to Lego's main headquarters and the renowned BIG-designed Lego House, the campus is poised to become a new landmark, embodying the playful, creative, and engineering-driven spirit of the Lego Group.

The architectural vision behind the Kornmarken Campus was to create a structure that not only stands out as a significant landmark in Billund, alongside other prominent Lego facilities, but also authentically conveys its primary functions and brand identity. Per Ravn, a partner at Cubo, articulated that the design masterfully blends the technical and industrial characteristics essential for its operations with the inherent playfulness synonymous with the Lego Group. The objective was to embed Lego's core philosophy—creativity, innovation, and engineering—directly into the building's architectural expression. The facade, drawing inspiration from Lego Technic bricks, establishes a powerful visual link to the Lego universe, simultaneously asserting the building's role as a specialized workplace for engineers and technically adept personnel.

Connected seamlessly to the existing production facility, the Kornmarken Campus is a bustling environment for 1,800 Lego professionals. These employees are at the forefront of designing and rigorously testing Lego's latest products and materials. The campus is thoughtfully laid out to include a diverse range of office spaces and advanced testing zones, featuring a dedicated Test & Innovation Centre, a sophisticated Materials Lab, an Additive Manufacturing Centre, and a comprehensive Training Academy. This integrated approach is rooted in a fundamental principle: to bridge the gap between technological developers and practical implementers. Ravn highlighted that this consolidation allows employees, previously dispersed across various locations, to now collaborate side-by-side with access to state-of-the-art test facilities, laboratories, and production equipment.

The architectural design of the Kornmarken Campus adeptly balances the need for openness with the requirement for confidentiality, both being critical to the building's character and purpose. This duality is strikingly evident in the facade, where expansive, enclosed production halls are strategically positioned on the exterior, while more transparent office areas occupy the higher levels of the structure. The central atrium is a focal point, featuring an awe-inspiring 25-tonne red Lego brick, appearing as if suspended within a mould. Additionally, historical moulds and detailed plans are prominently displayed, serving as a tribute to Lego's rich engineering heritage. Rune Sanggård Andersen, Lego's head of workplace design, explained that these bold design elements, including the giant red brick and glass installations showcasing original moulds and technical drawings, are more than mere aesthetics; they are powerful storytelling devices that directly connect to the work conducted within the building's walls, embodying Lego's values and its legacy of craftsmanship.

Given the dual nature of the building, which accommodates both administrative office functions and specialized technical testing areas, Cubo opted for a hybrid concrete-and-timber structural system. Ravn elaborated that the Kornmarken Campus uniquely integrates a robust concrete structure for the test facilities with elegant mass timber for the office spaces. This combination presented distinct challenges, particularly in constructing a technical and industrial facility with timber. The project necessitated the meticulous integration of a wide array of highly specialized functions, demanding stringent adherence to acoustic performance, fire safety protocols, and optimal indoor climate conditions. Furthermore, the design incorporated large structural spans within the load-bearing timber frameworks, which placed considerable demands on both the architectural design and the engineering solutions.

Ultimately, Lego's overarching goal for the Kornmarken Campus was to cultivate an environment that not only sparks innovation but also unmistakably projects the brand's identity. Andersen emphasized that the Lego Technic elements adorning the building's facade symbolize the precision engineering and excellence inherent in Lego bricks, serving as a homage to the dedicated individuals who work there. These architectural features unequivocally mark the building as Lego and establish a clear link to the original Lego Campus in Billund. He concluded by noting Lego's philosophy of having "one shared language, but many dialects," signifying that while every workplace must meet elevated standards of functionality and quality, it should also articulate its own distinctive character.