We have been staying in Silver Spring, MD, right outside of Washington, DC. Our flights were cancelled yesterday because of the snow/ice. Luckily we were able to get our rental car and hotel room for an extra day. Delta kindly re-routed us through DTW (Detroit Metro Airport), instead of Atlanta, since right now Georgia is an ice block and all flights are grounded.
We drove to IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport) once the roads were plowed. After we checked in, it was shockingly empty. Many flights had been cancelled the day before and only the flights headed from IAD internationally (Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam, etc) were running. All of the flights headed anywhere in the north- or southeast U.S. were cancelled. Those terminals were empty, except the lucky 40 people (like us) that were able to get re-booked on the Detroit flight. The airport itself feels so 1960s, but a recent interior renovation of terminal B felt very modern. A three-story high atrium had stainless steel escalators darting through the space with large metallic sculptures hanging overhead. The terminal/baggage claim train platform with its modern glass backlit with bright white light looked like it, too was in motion. The large turnbuckles above holding up the undulating facade were also impressive. They had to be at least 6ft long each. Overall, the airport was a visual delight, with every architectural element working together to create a kinetic feel in both materiality and design.
- jennifer