The escalators and stairs are located 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 escalators 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 into templates from custom programming in the 3-D software Autodesk Maya. 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 exactly what salmon look like when they are pulled out of the water.

Location: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alaska
Artist: Lutz Haufschild
Medium: Laminated float glass, steel base, stainless steel, and LED lighting
Virtual Fabrication: Christian Karl Janssen, San Francisco Bay Area
Architect: RIM-AK Architects, James Dougerty & Stacey Hansen
Lighting Design: PDC, Inc. Electrical, Robert Posma, PE
Structural Engineering: Reid Middleton, Inc.
Engineering: Dave Stierwalt, PE