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    Woods Bagot Improves Passenger Experience at SFO's International Terminal Building

    May 20, 2020
    Related To: Woods Bagot
    Woods Bagot
    New booths, banquettes, and community tables are in a color palette reflective of the natural landscape of the Bay Area.
    New booths, banquettes, and community tables are in a color palette reflective of the natural landscape of the Bay Area.

    Woods Bagot has implemented guest improvements throughout the two main food courts at SFO’s International Terminal Building, and created one of the first outdoor observation decks in the country. The upgrades were prompted by REACH (Revenue Enhancement And Customer Hospitality), SFO’s initiative to become a world-renowned facility and a premium gateway to the West. Woods Bagot is also a key member of the team renovating Harvey Milk Terminal 1. The firm also created the SkyTerrace Observation Deck at Terminal 2.

    FOOD COURTS

    The primary design goal was to create a soothing, functional passenger experience. To alleviate the stress of air travel, the designers merged principles of hospitality design with the functional requirements of an airport to create a place where guests truly come first. A variety of environments caters to the wide range of traveler types – tourists and business travelers, solo travelers and families, people who want to read, or make private calls, or relax with friends. The overall mood is clean, contemporary, and bathed in natural light.

    New booths, banquettes, and community tables are in a color palette reflective of the natural landscape of the Bay Area.  Small nooks are clad in silvery fish scale tiles which are locally sourced and made of recycled content.  Wood and steel community tables allow larger groups to spread out, and individuals to plug in. Solid surfaces form clever geometric shapes that anchor the space.

    Wood panels with brass trim, intimate lighting integrated into the tables and low planters define the lounge areas along the concourse.  Seating options include the beloved SFO egg chair, accompanied by its egg table, and the low back swan chair. These multiple sizes allow travellers to customize their own groupings or seating style.

    OBSERVATION DECK

    Rare among airports is the outdoor observation deck: a place for harried travelers to watch the planes come and go over the water. This inside/outside environment is distinctively Californian, as are the planters hosting a colorful selection of cacti and succulents. Customized sculptures from well-known artists add to the visual excitement. The ample chairs, tables and chaise lounges are finished in natural wood slats, another nod to the local landscape.