Edges of the Airport: The Clear Zone
For aviation, a “Clear Zone” is the area that surrounds the airport runway. It is legally mandated that the clear zone is kept free of obstructions to enhance safety.
The land around Sea-Tac airport (Seattle/Tacoma) is very densely populated, so the footprint is among the smallest in the US for major airports. So a lot of safety and support infrastructure is visible while driving or walking roads nearby the airport. Key structures are fenced off and monitored of course but the proximity is surprisingly close.
I find the engineered support structures, fencing, and lighting systems to possess a geometry of recurring patterns and layers.
Airport Approach Lighting System
SW support structures
South service access road, SeaTac airport
Storm water retention; Netting to prevent large bird access
SW hillside
SW hillside before runway
Pre-runway support structure, SeaTac airport
South hillside
SE support wall integrates public artwork
SE support wall public art detail
Approach lighting system and incoming transport
Draining retention pond with netting to prevent large bird access
Eastern view
Undisclosed -1
