Location: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska
Materials: Laminated float glass, steel base, stainless steel, and LED lighting

The project: The escalators and stairs are kocated near the middle of the gracefully curved ticket lobby and seemed to require a focal point which would also allow visitors to orient themselves in the large space. To achieve this I placed a large three dimensional glass relief at the head of the escalaors and stairs.

The sculpture alludes to the much loved pristine outdoors of Alaska and the yearly miracle of salmon migrating. Photos of salmon taken in Katmai National Park were transformed with custom programming in the 3-D Maya software into templates. These were then used to cut hundreds of strips of glass (up to 12 " wide), and which were laminated vertically into a steel base for earthquake proofing.

Alaskan fishermen said enthusiastically that the glass relief shows excactly what salmon look like when they are pulled out of the water.

Dimensions: 9' h x 13' w, 12" thick at base

Virtual Fabrication: Christian Karl Janssen
Architects: RIM-AK Architects, James Dougerty & Stacey Hansen
Structural: Reid Middleton, Inc. Engineers, Dave Stierwalt, PE
Lighting Engineers: PDC, Inc. Electrical, Robert Posma, PE