An airport terminal design from Georgia Institute of Technology was awarded top prize in the 2007-08 New Visions of Security: Re-life of a DFW Airport Terminal International Student Design Competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate and administered by Association of Collegiate School of Architecture (ACSA).

Architecture students Blake Burton and Tristan Phillip Hall, with faculty advising from Harris Dimitropoulos, won top honors for their entry, "Re-life of a Terminal."

Along with support from the DFW Airport Planning Department, American Airlines and Corgan Associates, the competition focused on the re-life of American Airlines Terminal A at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Students were challenged to explore concepts that clarify the functional order of the terminal and passenger way-finding. In addition, submissions were asked to consider improving the passenger security process, airline terminal operations and provide more effective concession lease areas.

Jurors were particularly impressed by the strong roof structure designed by Burton and Hall. "Excellent blast resistant design and passive air evacuation," jurors commented. "Holistic solution with a well organized, logical, and effective floor plan which groups the major terminal functions (ticketing, security checkpoints, concessions) into nodes. The nodes align with the existing 'Skylink' stations to maximize the efficiency of inter-terminal transfers and reduce walking distances."

They added, "These interior "parks" provide pleasant and relaxing views that enhance the terminal experience and create a strong sense of place for the critical functions. Unique solutions to the program issue with results that provide a viable renovation approach."

The design jury convened June 2008, at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, to select the winning projects and honorable mentions. The competition jury was comprised of Bob Blankenship, DFW Planning Department; David Chasco, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, School of Architecture; Thomas G. Coleman of U.S. Department of Homeland Security; & David Lind of Corgan Associations, INC.

The entries from over 150 students provided a broad array of solutions to address the major issues of the competition program: terminal security, functional circulation, architecture and sustainability. Overall the students demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of incorporating security considerations, as well as environmental conservation, into the design process to compliment the traditional concerns for circulation, functionality, spatial quality, scale, and proportions. The concepts presented in the winning entries illustrated a holistic approach to addressing the special requirements of a terminal re-life with creative and innovative ideas.

Burton and Hall's project will be published in a Competition Summary Book, available from ACSA in Fall 2008. In addition they will be exhibited at the 2009 ACSA Annual Meeting in Portland, OR and the 2009 American Institute of Architects Convention in San Francisco.

For further information regarding the New Visions of Security competition, contact ACSA.


About Georgia Tech college of Architecture
The College of Architecture at Georgia Tech champions advancements in the arts and the built environment through academic programs in architecture, building construction, city and regional planning, doctoral studies, industrial design and music. It is a leading producer of research in each of its disciplines, and among the top three in the area of architecture.

About DHS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) vision is to preserve freedoms and protect America by providing the unifying core for a vast national network of organizations and institutions that prevent and deter terrorist attacks and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. In order to insure the continued security of the Nation's traveling public, DHS is sponsoring a series of student design activities that will challenge new generations of architects to consider security as an integral part of public building design.

About ACSA
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is a nonprofi t organization founded in 1912 to enhance the quality of architectural education. School membership in ACSA has grown from 10 charter schools to over 250 schools in several membership categories. Through these schools, over 4,500 architecture faculty are represented in ACSA's membership. ACSA, unique in its representative role for professional schools of architecture, provides a major forum for ideas on the leading edge of architectural thought. Issues that will affect the architectural profession in the future are being examined today in ACSA member schools.

About DFW
Dallas/FortWorth Iinternational Airport (DFW), jointly owned by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, opened in 1974 with four terminals and three runways. The airport encompassed 17,638 acres, or 27 square miles, making it, at the time, the world's largest airport. Since its inception, DFW has experienced tremendous success and growth in both passenger and cargo operations. Today, the airport has five terminals, seven runways, and is the third busiest airport in the world. DFW remains one of only two airports in the world with two major carriers operating hubs at their facilities.

About AA
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the American AirlinesConnection airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. At DFW, American and American Eagle together operate approximately 1,600 daily departures and arrivals to and from destinations throughout the airline's worldwide network, including more than 30 nonstop international destinations from DFW. American is a founding member of the global one world Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories.

About Corgan Associates
Corgan Associates, INC., Founded in Dallas in 1938, Corgan is nationally ranked among the top ten design firms focused on architecture. Corgan's design professionals provide master planning, architecture, interior design, and space planning services for new and existing facilities. For over 55 years, Corgan has provided a diverse range of planning and design services to aviation clients in response to the growing demands of the aviation industry. Corgan's knowledge of the industry's requirements results in innovative solutions that have become standard industry practices.