The Secret Way Buildings Control Your Emotions 🎢

The morning of my departure for Paris I realized once again the important effect architecture has on our lives.

I arrived at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport at the crack of dawn and was welcomed by the light and airy design of the recently renovated terminal building.

I've always loved airports, but I must admit this particular airport design makes air travel feel particularly cool.

The color scheme inside the terminal is mostly white, beige and gray, with some greenery in between.

The space feels futuristic – a bit like sitting in a Tesla car – but still there's something very earthy and cozy about it because there are so many wooden elements.

Most interestingly, it's very reminiscent of the design of the TWA Flight Center at JFK airport in New York City.

It must be an homage of sorts to Eero Saarinen and his associates who designed that terminal in the mid-1950s.

Also, it reminds me of the optical effect of repeating vertical lines in organic shapes used in The Oculus Transportation Hub beside the World Trade Center in New York.

I feel the Helsinki-Vantaa airport is a representation of Scandinavian desig par excellence and reflects the aerodynamic principles that lift the aircraft up in the air every day.

The architectural language symbolizes the transition between time and space that happens during a flight.

They symbolize the unbelievable feat of making humans fly in the air that was deemed impossible not that long ago.

The act of flying and the wings that make it happen represent ultimate liberty.

So the type of building that surrounds us before we embark on a flight is essential in priming us for our flight experience.

The design of the building can even make or break it.

I'm pretty sure no one would like to fly if the airport looked very dark, scrappy, unkempt... like a forgotten subway station from the 1970s where the tiles are permanently stained and you can practically hear the disco music echoing from decades past. 😅

In fact, a very calm and reassuring airport design actually convinces us of the relative safety of air travel.

At least I felt reassured when embarking on my new adventure in Paris.

Of course, moments of departure are always bittersweet.

A few tears were shed, even though I knew an excitement for the life lying ahead was underlying them all.

That moment of culmination made me feel very alive.

It made me think quite deeply about the experience of human existence.

I journaled about a couple of these thoughts for a moment – until I fell asleep thanks to my new travel pillow on my shoulders.

What is your favorite part about air travel?

Bisous,

Elle