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Terminal Diagnosis

Monster coverage of the NAT/T4 Terminal in Madrid! Monster coverage because the terminal itself is mammoth: $1.2 Billion dollars for the buildings alone, 9,000 parking spaces in the parking garage, and 174 check-in desks.

The question remains, to what end? Is design simply the new camouflage to help push through municipal boondoggles?

Barajas' terminal is a gigantic project, based on huge projected increased in passenger traffic: From 48 million passengers a year to 70 million. It's hard to believe that 22 million additional passengers will now want to fly via Madrid  to see a bamboo roof and avoid harsh fluorescent lighting. Everyone can benefit from good lighting, sure, but many Americans fly in their pyjamas. It's hard to see them making bulb-based travel decisions.

Still, a snazzy new airport is a better civic investment than the Olympics. We'd trade Bode Miller for Jean Nouvel or Frank Gehry any day.

[Image via txmx.2/Flickr]

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