Perhaps taking cue from the pre-industrial era, architecture and design trends are starting to reflect how integral animals are in human life. For example, a survey conducted this year by the National Kitchen and Bath Association revealed that NKBA member designers see an increasing demand for pet friendly kitchens.
Taking that to the next level is New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, which Fast Company reports has commissioned Gensler to design a terminal entirely for animals.
Around 70,000 animals, from pets to livestock, travel through the airport annually. The new $48 million terminal will be built on the site of an unused cargo terminal.
Aptly named ARK terminal, as in Noah’s Ark, the 178,000-sf structure will act as a shelter and quarantine facility, a huge upgrade from the aging Vetport at JFK.
Unlike its predecessor, the terminal won’t be exclusively utilitarian—jet-setting animals can enjoy training, spa, and grooming services. Illinois-based Paradise 4 Paws will be the main tenant, operating these luxury services.
Dezeen reports that Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is consulting on the project, while the USDA is “offering guidance and cooperation."
Completion is slated for completion within the first quarter of 2016.
Related Stories
Airports | Oct 6, 2020
Airport of the Future global student design competition 2020 winners announced
Winning projects reimagine airport mobility in the year 2100 for one of the 20 busiest airports in the world.
Airports | Sep 18, 2020
Infection control measures for airport terminals
More automation and scanning, of people and baggage, will help unclog airports.
Airports | Sep 18, 2020
Wings clipped, airports veer to tech to regain passenger trust
Alternative project delivery methods are also being considered.
Airports | Sep 10, 2020
The Weekly show: Curtis Fentress, FAIA, on airport design, and how P3s are keeping university projects alive
The September 10 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Airports | Jul 28, 2020
CallisonRTKL to design one of the world’s first net-zero airports
Guadalajara Airport Terminal 2 will be designed from the ground up.
Coronavirus | Jul 20, 2020
Student housing amid the pandemic, infection control in buildings, and future airport design on "The Weekly"
Experts from Core Spaces, Bala Consulting Engineers, and Populous were interviewed in the July 23 streaming program from Horizon TV.
Airports | Jun 24, 2020
LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B officially opens
HOK and WSP USA designed the project.
Airports | Feb 7, 2020
A 780-ft-long pedestrian walkway is positioned over an active taxi lane at Sea-Tac International
It took eight years to plan, design, and construct this bridge.
Airports | Nov 12, 2019
$1B terminal opens at New Orleans International Airport
LEO A DALY designed the project.