Letter to the Editor
Disappointing design
Published Sunday, September 21, 2008
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Stumble It!Sept. 15, 2008
To the editor:
Arriving in Fairbanks to visit family for the seventh time in as many years, I was surprised, and greatly disappointed by the new airport that greeted me. I looked forward to the big bear, the old wood, and the admittedly kitschy design that says that you are indeed getting away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world found in the brushed metal and unmotivated curved designs in other “modern” airports.
Well, that cold metal surface, and design for the sake of unmotivated design, is exactly what Fairbanks has adopted. Moreover, it focuses on hideous orange plastic and gray wood in the main color theme. What a shame.
With the new airport, Fairbanks had an opportunity to do anything. Make a modern facility that looked like the gold rush days that gave birth to the city. Or maybe take a design theme from the new visitor center across from Coldfoot — an Earth-friendly theme with a color scheme pulled from nature. How about echoing the Native Alaska colors and design sense? What about the wildlife that abounds? No, what Fairbanks achieved was — almost — another “me too” cold, modern design, but failed with the horrid orange plastic, gray wood, and unmotivated ceiling ripples. The outside overhangs don’t even reach to the street to cover visitors from rain or sleet when arriving or departing. What’s the point?
Worst of all, this bad design and color scheme is repeated in the new Fairbanks visitors center.
Despite one of the project highlights, attempting to “create an attractive and pleasant airport experience,” they created something cold, aloof, impersonal, and completely unreflective of the history, culture and nature that Fairbanks is the gateway to. I hope that in the upcoming year,
Fairbanks can ameliorate this failure of vision and at least redo the color scheme. Reincorporate the history of Fairbanks, the Native culture, and add in some true natural elements that reflect the reason why people live here.
They are here because it is not like it is Outside.
Community Discussion
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So here's the deal...it's an airport and you live in Pennsylvania. We happen to think the new airport isn't all that bad. Get over it.
I hate the new airport. I think it is an expensive downgrade from what we had before. What a waste of money.
Props aklibbylover, I think the new design is a very welcoming new addition to our community, though the old one will be missed I would rather have this one over the old cold war one
Wow, liberal disagreeing with each other. Aklibby and akbychoice should probably take their lover's spat somewhere else.
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