21 Nov 2024
Located in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 (T1), the new SFO Alaska Lounge from William Duff Architects (WDA) features clean lines combined with the inviting warmth and comfort of a hotel, across 11,000 square feet. The result is a welcoming, dynamic, and sophisticated environment that pairs well with the newly renovated world-class terminal.
Alaska Airlines has positioned itself as the largest carrier at T1, where it currently serves approximately 5 million passengers annually.
"We help our clients enhance gate-to-gate experiences for their customers, and we are honoured to work with Alaska Airlines to realize their vision," states WDA Founder William S. Duff, Jr.
The San Francisco-based architecture and interiors firm's portfolio of projects at SFO has included shops for luxury brands such as Gucci, Hermes, Burberry, Coach, and DFS Galleria, as well as dining and lounge amenities for Air France and British Airways.
"Our firm has worked at SFO for nearly 20 years, across all four terminals," says WDA Associate Principal Jonathan Tsurui, who works closely with Duff to manage the firm's hospitality practice.
Tsurui led the WDA project team tasked with meeting an accelerated design and construction timeline, as well as realizing Alaska Airlines' goals, which included increasing seating capacity.
To maximize the floor plan, WDA created distinct areas, bathed in natural light, while incorporating Alaska's established lounge zones—featuring spaces to “Come In”, "Take a Breath", "Help Yourself", and "Cut Loose"—and ensuring seamless transitions and the maintenance of a cohesive visual narrative. Each area is visually distinguished through the use of unique ceiling treatments and furniture arrangements, with curves softening the space and uniting the sections. By providing six different seating types—ranging from comfy banquettes to room for a laptop or the privacy of a phone booth—WDA exceeded the head count goal.
WDA also created a design statement featuring something uniquely San Francisco —the Golden Gate Bridge enveloped in fog. Located centrally as a buffer between "Help Yourself" and the active bar area, the 40-foot, laser-cut metal acoustic wall serves both as a focal point and a functional element.
Through multiple design iterations, WDA ensured that the new lounge was precisely aligned with Alaska Airlines' vision.
"As architects and designers, we can enhance how people live, work, play and travel," concludes Tsurui. "Delivering this project to Alaska Airlines means that they not only meet the needs of various guests—whether they are leisure or business travellers—but also exceed them by providing something unparalleled."
