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Interesting article about our new airport...glad to see my first project is being touted so well

Anyone who has toured through the multiculturally-infused Terminal I at Pearson International Airport could be forgiven for wondering what sort of drugs these architects are on, and where they could get some themselves.

The world's most expensive airport terminal has been designed to give travelers a signature taste of the city and perhaps a chance to shop within minutes of boarding their plane. The new $3.6-billion Terminal 1 at Pearson Airport is in stage one of a long-term expansion plan that has been called the “largest private-sector infrastructure project in Canadian history”.

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Terminal 1 goes straight for the jugular of the city's multiculturalism; the retail area was designed with the city of Toronto and its diversity in mind.

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Nonetheless, Terminal 1 must be praised for its innovative trailblazing balls. Passengers now walk along a monstrous aquarium filled with bubbling water - designed by German artist Ingo Maurer. Hanging from the ceiling over a departure lounge is Robert Charles Coyle’s looming paper airplane installation.

Terminal 1 goes straight for the jugular of the city's multiculturalism; the entire retail area was designed (by Moshe Safdie Associates and Skidmore Owings & Merrill) with the city of Toronto and its diversity in mind. The shopping area creates 22 "neighbourhoods," with themes honouring the city's many communities. One spot, for example, is called Kensington Market and features cuisine from Europe and the Far East. Or you can graze at T.O.'s Café Bar.

There's a store called the Streetcar with the feel of stepping into a TTC Rocket that also sells maps and photographs of various Toronto areas. The Arts and Letters Café is named after a downtown club, and the 211 Bel Air Café is named after that 'hood. Souvenirs are available in Destination Toronto, a store with retailers including Lush, Roots, Sunglass Hut and the Sandra Ainsley Gallery.

The enormous amount of natural light in the new terminal is noteworthy; a long array of skylights and huge glass walls draws the sun into most areas of the terminal. But, it’s the biggest room of the airport - the departure hall - that is topped with an arched roof that opens up at to allow for skylights. Even the baggage hall, as spectacular as a monstrous art gallery, feels light-filled and spacious. A long line of carousels creates a sensational sight line.

It's an absolutely brilliant design. Rattling on like a airport possessed, Terminal 1 whips up a perfect mix of brains, guile, irony and chutzpah. The capacity of the airport, which is 25 million passengers a year now, will double by 2015. All financed by bond issues, translating into higher fees for airlines. Pearson ranks 29th in the world in passenger traffic, 27th in airline movements and represents the ideal location for a major international hub.

It appears Toronto now has one of the best airports on the planet - It may be under construction for the next few decades, but even those who are skeptical of airports and their respective hoopla should agree that Pearson is terminally cool.
- Jonathan Ray

http://www.martiniboys.com/files/190/terminal1.jpg

Yes :roll: you get to see some of my other interests