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About this Art Collection
Terminal 1 Façade
Materials: Custom curved composite glass and metal
Drawing inspiration from the rolling waves and light that sweep across San Diego’s shores, the Luminous Wave Façade doubles as the main wall of the terminal’s ticketing hall. Stretching over 800 feet in length and 33 feet in height, the curved glass form and continuing ribbed aluminum fin reveal the layered presence of light, shadow, transparency and reflection—evoking the mysterious threshold between water and sky.
The artist and his studio worked closely with the airport to ensure that both the façade’s environmental performance and the artwork’s conceptual goals were seamlessly integrated. The Luminous Wave Façade offers a transformative sense of place, connecting us to the dynamic spirit and natural beauty of San Diego.
James Carpenter:
James Carpenter’s distinctive vision is founded on the optical properties of materials and light as they reveal the presence of nature. Carpenter has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and the Smithsonian National Environment Design Award. He holds a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and was a Loeb Fellow of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He is an Associate Member of The American Institute of Architects, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry of the Royal Society of Arts.
