Gallery: Fascinating Images Reveal the Genesis of the TWA Flight Center, America's Greatest Terminal

  • Image may contain Airport Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Airplane Aircraft Building and Architecture
    Dan Page / Eero Saarinen Collection (MS 593). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
    01

    2-DesigningTWA-p-2-3-TWA-Terminal

    Eero Saarinen's TWA Flight Center was a striking response to the expanding popularity of jet travel.
  • Image may contain Diagram Plan Plot Transportation Vehicle Aircraft and Airplane
    Eero Saarinen Collection (MS 593). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
    02

    4-DesigningTWA-p-44-drawing

    Saarinen's preliminary design showed seamlessly connected baggage and passenger handling stations.
  • Image may contain Plywood Wood Hangar Building Furniture and Chair
    Richard G. Knight / Richard Gamble Knight Papers (MS 1999). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
    03

    7-DesigningTWA-p-71-Models-TWA

    Saarinen had to lease a studio big enough for the scale models of the terminal he had in mind.
  • Image may contain Furniture Chair Human Person Wood Leisure Activities Floor Musical Instrument Piano and Plywood
    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress
    04

    10-DesigningTWA-p-96-model-TWA

    Since each airline had its own terminal at the airport, he wanted TWA's home to stand out.
  • Image may contain Banister Handrail Hot Tub Tub and Jacuzzi
    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress
    05

    12-DesigningTWA-p-134-135-Interior-TWA

    Like the exterior, the terminal's interior was made up of sweeping curves—no right angles, minimal corners.
  • Image may contain Furniture Chair Vehicle Car Transportation Automobile and Couch
    Illustrator unknown / Eero Saarinen Collection (MS 593). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
    06

    9-DesigningTWA-p-75-drawing-interior

    Inside the terminal, areas like the "Ambassador Lounge" were designed for passenger comfort, and to conform to TWA's corporate look.
  • Image may contain Banister Handrail Staircase Stage and Building
    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress
    07

    8-DesigningTWA-p-74-model-interior

    The red carpets and upholstery, shown in this model, added splashes of color to an otherwise light grey or white interior space.
  • Image may contain Road Building Freeway Bridge Architecture and Concrete
    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division,Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress
    08

    11-DesigningTWA-p-101-Building-site-TWA

    TWA eagerly promoted the new terminal during its design and construction.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Aircraft Airplane Human Person Building and Architecture
    Illustrator unknown / Kornel Ringli Collection
    09

    3-DesigningTWA-p-23-Restaurant-menu

    The Flight Center double as advertising for the airline, which even used its image as the cover for its restaurant menu.
  • Image may contain Diagram Plan Plot Bird and Animal
    Eero Saarinen Collection (MS 593). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library
    10

    13-DesigningTWA-p-179-Section-elevation-departure-hall-TWA

    Saarinen planned all the interior details, like the arrivals and departures board.
  • Image may contain Human Person Lighting Banister and Handrail
    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress
    11

    5-DesigningTWA-p-57-Arrival-departures-board

    That electronic signage became one of the building's coolest elements.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Taxi and Cab
    Teju Cole
    12

    14-DesigningTWA-p-218-TWA-building

    The terminal was decommissioned in 2001, and now may become a hotel.
  • Image may contain Human Person Footwear Clothing Shoe Apparel Pedestrian Airport Room Lobby and Indoors
    Melissa Murphy
    13

    1-DesigningTWA-backcover-terminal-interior

    In 2012, the public was invited to visit the closed space, and a new generation of air travelers eagerly showed up.
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