Alaska Lounge, Seattle | 2019 Design Award Winner

Alaska Lounge, Seattle Graham Baba Architects

At the Alaska Lounge in SeaTac International Airport, the door is always open. Travelers seek lounges as an escape from the anxiety, noise, and commotion of the concourse. Traditionally, airport lounges catered to this desire by emphasizing exclusivity: sleek, business-oriented safe havens that prioritized the needs of a privileged swath of travelers. The 15,800-sq.-ft. lounge is conceived in four zones: an approachable entry; "Help Yourself," a casual bistro; "Take a Breath," a place for peaceful relaxation; and "Cut Loose," a cozy bar. Separated with an array of oak and twisted metal screens, the spaces flow together. Exploration elicits surprise and discovery: each space has its own distinct furnishings, acoustic properties, floor and ceiling materials, and light quality.

This project received an Innovation Award for Customer Experience and an Innovation Award for Materiality.

Alaska Lounge Seattle Tacoma International Airport 17801 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98158

Category: Concierge | Lobby | Common Area Completion: July 11, 2019 Design: Graham Baba Architects, Seattle Client: Alaska Airlines, Seattle Architect: Graham Baba Architects, Seattle Executive Architects: SRG Partnership, Seattle Consultants, contractors and trades: Hensel Phelps, Bellevue, Wash. (general contractor); Charlie Hellstern Interior Design, Seattle (interior design in collaboration with Graham Baba Architects); Niteo Lighting, Seattle (lighting); Mazzetti, Seattle (mechanical engineering); Stantec, Seattle (electrical engineering); Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Seattle (structural engineering); Ricca Design Studios, Brooklyn (foodservice consultant); Arup, Seattle (acoustical engineering); Integrated Design Lab, University of Washington, Seattle (daylighting consultant); Spearhead, Nelson, BC (entry desk fabrication); Graypants, Seattle (entry artwork); Resolute Lighting; Seattle (lighting fixture fabrication); Interior Environments, Seattle (custom furniture and built-ins fabrication) Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography, Seattle