Objectives
The Alpena County Regional Airport plays a crucial role in keeping Alpena County, MI accessible to leisure and business travelers from other parts of the country. In 2018, county and airport officials were ready to replace the long-standing terminal with a more expansive and updated facility. The architecture firm’s lead design architect, Frank Gratton, noted, “Our design process is based on creating airport terminal architecture that is inspired by context, community and culture.” For the exterior, Gratton and his colleagues created an aesthetic that would pay tribute to the quarry industry that still accounts for a large sector of the region’s economy.
Solutions
The RS&H design team chose two architectural masonry products to use in the project. The color variation of stones in local quarries inspired the exterior color palette. Instead of a typical stacked stone pattern, four colors were mixed—Midwest White, Landers Bay, Goldstone and Saddle Tan—to create a linear pattern informed by some of the striations in the local rock formations.
Results
The new Alpena Airport terminal is getting enthusiastic feedback from travelers. RS&H architect Andrew Nelson reflected, “For this small community, it’s exciting to have a new transportation project like this completed. It’s a symbol of community pride and a cause for celebration. The clients and users were pleased with the outcome and there are plans for future growth. The airport, connected to its place, will serve this region for many decades.”
Team & Location
Owner: Alpena County Regional Airport
Designer: RS&H, Inc.
Producer: Northfield, an Oldcastle® APG Company
Project Location: Alpena County, MI