The Capstone design series features a three part structure which addresses a complete view of design. The first part (ARCH 5010 found HERE), consists of the written essay and conceptual basis for the proposed project. The second part of the project (ARCH 5020) takes the conceptual platform and follows with the development of a physical design. Lastly, the final capstone trimester (ARCH 5030) is set to define the architectural project with a certain level of reality with regards to its material completion.

Although the most common means of transportation from McCarran to the Vegas Strip is the Taxi, the Scripted Space / Scripted World project intended to control the arriving spectator’s first impression of the city. The hypothetical expansion’s glass cloister would provide an analogue theme to the scripted language of the strip. In consequence, the ‘rail connection’ would include stations and stops along the strip that would deposit the traveler directly along the Las Vegas Boulevard.

The project’s roof employed impact resistant, tinted glass panels with textile unions. The idea of bringing the sun into the project, while adhering to concept, presented a practical obstacle for HVAC considerations. However, the conceptual gain of this practice was centered in the identification of a “desert script”. The sun and heat would be a constant reminder to the user. As the project developed, the design of the roof had to incorporate different coverings or changes in translucence in order to address these issues.

While taking into account the desert conditions that characterize the state of Nevada, the proposed addition to the airport chooses to present the desert as script & program with stark contrasts to the Vegas Strip just 5 minutes away. During the day, the clear glass roof structure will allow for massive amounts of light to enter the space, perhaps bordering on the uncomfortable. Heat would be a regulating factor, so the glass enclosure employs glass elements akin to ETFE technologies, so that temperature and other interior environment considerations can be finely tuned. The nighttime conditions of the enclosure will also make evident the change between night and day, further strengthening a perception of being outside in the desert.

The proposed spatial transitions between airport and city will present the traveler with open and close scenarios of the two environments of Las Vegas. As such, the proposed rail system will operate underground except at key points (McCarran&VegasBlvd), therefore re-enforcing the programming change and spatial perceptions between the two.