MODULE 2: MIND THE GAP
SPACE ANALYSIS
When looking at different spaces of interaction between the built environment and the human body, I was interested in the interaction between a person and the shelves of a grocery store, and the interaction between a person and an airport baggage claim area.
While looking at the interaction between the spaces, I became more inerested in the interaction that happens at a baggage claim area and began to ideate ways I can design around the intereaction between the human body and the baggage claim area.
I began mainly by looking at the problem of congestion at airports. Lincoln Airport is realtively quiet most of the time so I decided to work with a larger airport that rarely sees any down time. Since I've been through LAX quite a number of times, I thought my own experiences would help me with the ideation
The current baggage claim area at LAX terminals.
The different stages while waiting for baggage.
The majority of people will crouch or bend over to grab their baggage from the current baggage claim area design.
IDEATION
When I began ideating different ideas to design a new way for the human body to interact with a baggage claim area, I was at first just thinking of ways to change the shape of the baggage claim area. I realzied changing the shape into a circle, number eight, or any other shape would still not really change the interaction of the space.
I then thought about having a baggage claim area that can be accesible from both sides. I then came up with a shape that could be accessed from both sides.
This was the basic shape that I worked with for my design.
Besides looking at just the baggage claim area itself, I also ideated a couple of other ideas that worked with the space around the baggage claim area.
I thought about having panels of light on the ground that would light up when a traveler were to stand on it while waiting for their luggage. I figured this would eliminate some of the congestion problems, however, it wasn't really the design or idea I was looking for in this module. This idea however, gave me further ideas as my ideation progressed.
The idea of the floor light panels sparked the idea of having an electronic panel on the baggage claim itself which would provide with various advertisments and tourist information.
I then started to look at how the baggage claim area would work. Researching things such as the maximum baggage size allowed on airlines, the height of current baggage claim areas, and the construction of baggage claim areas I began to bring together my ideas.
While lookin at my idea, I realized that in order for the baggage claim to be accessed from both sides, the track would have to go underground for a few feet. The track would also need to be blocked off with some material so prevent people from falling in. I chose to use glass in order to allow people to walk over the track and see it beneath their feet.
Realizing that there would be a lot of unused space by the side the track goes underground, I thought of using that negative space to an advantage by adding a place that could provide with seating.
I looked at how a bench might be able to be added to the baggage claim space that would have remained unused.
PROTOTYPES
When I first began to prototype my ideas, I first began by using chipboard to construct my models.
I first drew out the entire model on a piece of chipboard. I then cut it with an exacto knife and scored it in certain parts to allow it to come together smoothly and proportionally.
My first two prototypes were just a cut of the main track and I was still looking at the shape of the track. For these two prototypes, I looked a "M" shape and a "V" shape. I liked what both ideas had to offer, the "M" shape had a nice angle on the track, while the "V" shape added more leg room for the traveler. I combined both of these ideas for my next prototype.
For my second and final prototype I decided to work basswoood, plexiglass, and chipboard to show the different materiality of the baggage claim area. To support the various parts of the track along on the model, I glued support beams that were able to keep the track from falling in.
LED lights were added into the inside of the model to illumiante the cut ot shapes on the side of the baggage claim.
FINAL
After prototyping models, I had a pretty clear idea on what I wanted to do with the design. While I was trying to solve a problem of congestion and traffic at first, I did realize that current baggage claim areas are designed at their best to do just that. Instead, I decided to focus on changing the experience of the baggage claim area. For most peoplem, it is a hassle and they do not look forward to getting their luggage. I wanted to design something that would still keep that efficinecy current baggage claim areas have, but also provide the user with a memorable experience. Most travelers at the Los Angeles Airport are there to visit, and providing with a baggage claim area that sets the airport far apart from others, will make a last impression on the traveler.
The baggage claim area is accesible from both sides and spans 40 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a maximum height of 2.6 feet. The baggage claim area features electronic panels that are directly visible to the user when standing over the area waiting for their luggage. These
electronic panels serve a variety of purposes. The baggage claim area also features light square panels on the outside surface that will create various light effects that can be manipulated in ways to create different patterns and colors. These lights will only turn on when the baggage claim area is in use.
Additionally, the area features four glass benches that extrude from the baggage claim area, providing travelers for a place to sit while they wait for their luggage. Baggage is sent from an underground conveyor onto the baggage claim belt. The baggage claim area can hold a maximun of fifty 62 linear inch bags (the maximun size allowed on commerical airlines) when layed down vertically, and can hold sixty when layed down horizontally
Luggage would be placed onto the baggage claim area from an underground track. The track would be rotating clockwise in order to work with the traffic flow.
The track would take luggage under the ground for a few in order to allow people to enter and leave the inside area. Glass material is used to prevent people from falling into this area, as well as providing the traveler with a unique view of a baggage claim area.
On the sides of the baggage claim area are numerous clear panels with LED lights. LED lights can do a number of things with light and the baggage claim area would be able to be manipualted in such a way that would provide for a different experience for every traveler. These lights would only turn on when the baggage claim area is in use.
Advertisments and tourist information will be displayed on electronic panels directly under the user's vision while waiting for their luggage.
Four benches will provide travelers with seating on the baggage claim area. These benches will be able to fit around 2 - 3 people depending on the size of the person. Although most people leave as soon as they obtain their luggage, some people still wait around for their ride, and the current terminals in LAX offer no seating around the baggage claim area.
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