In order to capture the concept of flight, Saarinen used curves to create spaces that flowed into one another. The exterior’s concrete roof imitates a bird in flight with two massive “wings.” The interior consists of a continuous ribbon of elements, all whisking themselves in from the exterior, so that ceilings continously run into walls and those walls become floors.
The structure consists of a shell of reinforced concrete with four segments that extend outward from a central point. The concrete “wings” then unfold on either side of the exterior, preparing for flight. Within the concrete, the structure is reinforced with a web of steel. The large panels of glass beneath the concrete are also supported with steel, and have a contemporary purple-tint. These glass walls are tilted towards the exterior at an angle as they reach the ceiling, as if intended for viewers to imagine looking out from a plane to the earth below. These windows also highlight the purpose of the structure, providing views of departing and arriving jets.