LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curtis Fentress, the architect responsible for the design vision for an extensive, multi-billion dollar modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), has received the Thomas Jefferson Award, the highest award for public architecture by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The award recognizes Fentress for "a portfolio of accomplishments that evidences great depth while making a significant contribution to the quality of public architecture."
Fentress designed some of the world's best architecturally recognized airports, including Denver International Airport in Colorado and Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. His portfolio includes international terminals in Seattle, San Jose, Sacramento and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. His award-winning public buildings range from major museums, such as the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., to convention centers, courthouses, city halls, government headquarters and office towers.
"Los Angeles World Airports congratulates Curt Fentress on receiving this important, prestigious, architectural distinction," said Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. "This award validates and confirms our choice in Fentress Architects for the important job of reimagining, modernizing and guiding the future vision of LAX so that the airport reflects the culture, environment and excitement of Los Angeles."
Fentress is currently involved in the $1.545-billion Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) Bradley West Project, which began construction in February and is scheduled to be completed in two major phases: Phase 1 in 2012 and Phase 2 in 2013.
This project comprises approximately 1.25 million square feet of new building area, including food/beverage and retail concessions, new premium lounge space, enlarged Federal Inspection/Customs & Border Protection facilities and other passenger amenities. In addition, the new concourses will contain 15 new boarding gates and enlarged passenger seating/holdroom areas sized to accommodate new-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. "Bradley West" is the largest public works project in Los Angeles' history and is expected to create 4,000 construction-related jobs during the three-year construction period. Fentress' architectural design vision for LAX goes beyond the new "Bradley West" Project and sets a blue print that will guide LAX development well into the future.
Fentress believes this project and future modernizations "will establish a new regional icon that embodies the character of Los Angeles and transforms LAX into the airport of the future. Architectural elements capture the rhythmic motion of waves and ocean swells, suggesting the L.A. culture that constantly reinvents itself.
The design creates a cohesive theme and world-class identity that complements the parabolic arches of the airport's iconic Theme Building, which ushered in the Jet Age at LAX when built in 1961. Future design vision elements incorporate two arched bridges that increase in size toward the West, just as planes take off and gain altitude over the Pacific Ocean.
LAX's architectural design vision for the current Bradley West Project and the future Midfield Concourse Project was named last year as one of the "Top 10 most promising future projects of California architecture" by California Home and Design Magazine. The magazine covers emerging styles and trendsetting ideas within the architectural and interior design world, and its 365,000 subscribers are considered influential among affluent homeowners, design enthusiasts and industry leaders. The magazine's senior editors bestowed the special distinction after reviewing many projects and choosing those they felt would become landmark architectural entities having a significant impact upon California's architectural landscape.
About LAX
The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is LAX's primary terminal for international flights. The more than 30 airlines at TBIT served over eight million passengers in 2009, or 57 percent of LAX's overall 15.1 million international passenger volume. Total passenger volume at LAX last year was over 56.5 million.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the third busiest airport in the U.S., and seventh in the world, offering more than 565 daily flights to 81 destinations in the U.S. and over 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 65 international destinations on more than 75 carriers. LAX is the busiest origin-and-destination airport in the U.S., whereby passengers who begin or end their trips at the airport (rather than connect to other flights) have a higher, positive impact on the local economy in terms of business, tourism and consumer spending. LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a department of the City of Los Angeles.
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