Dockweiler Terminal

This project investigates the complex relationships between form, structure, spatial organization, and tectonic qualities through precedent analysis and architectural design. The first phase focuses on individual exploration, developing vocabularies and taxonomies of structural systems through a series of abstract studies of discrete and aggregate elements that define complex structures. After selecting the arch as the primary structural system, I collaborated with a classmate who had chosen the waffle slab system. By combining the two, we designed a roofing system composed of waffle slabs supported by arch columns. This hybrid system was applied to the design of a new, innovative terminal drop-off zone—intended exclusively for drive-through access. Strategically located closer to the Pacific Coast Highway, the proposal aims to alleviate traffic congestion around the LAX terminals. With consideration for the evolving nature of transportation, including rideshare services and autonomous vehicles, the design prioritizes efficiency, speed, and a streamlined user experience, reimagining the future of airport transit and passenger flow.