Donald Trump has unveiled plans for one of America’s most iconic airports which would hide most of the original building.
Dulles International Airport near Washington DC was opened in 1962 and features a mid-century-modern terminal considered to be a classic.
The building was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, who was also responsible for the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
However, new plans released by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) last week show that -if President Trump has his way – much of Saarinen’s creation will disappear beneath a new structure.
The announcement follows a government request for information issued late last year, which attracted proposals from more than 30 architecture practices, including Zaha Hadid Architects and Adjaye Associates.
Trump said he had selected the designs ‘after an extensive review’.
However, no architecture firm has been formally named as the designer of the project; instead the conceptual renderings have been put together by United Airlines.
United CEO Scott Kirby said: ‘We thank the Trump Administration and the Department of Transportation for their support as we move this transformative project forward and make Dulles a showcase for the nation’s capital, setting a new standard for airports across the country.’
The renderings show a large sloping structure attached to Saarinen’s distinctive terminal, which is known for its curved roof suspended above a series of concrete columns.
Sloping extensions on either side of the main building would stretch outwards, while the plans also include new facilities and a large car park which Trump described as ‘the largest garage in the world’.
DOT officials said the project would add 5 million sq ft (464,515 sq m) of space to the airport.
New tunnels would also be built to replace the airport’s automated trains that currently transport passengers between concourses.
The DOT said the work would be carried out over the next ‘several years’, with funding for the renovation programme increased by as much as $13 billion (£10billion).
In December, President Trump described Dulles as ‘incorrectly designed’ and a ‘terrible airport’.
The terminal, considered one of the most significant works of 20th century airport architecture, is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Washington region.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy insisted the new designs would preserve the old terminal building, despite encroaching on it.
‘President Trump’s work to make DC safe and beautiful has already reshaped our nation’s capital for the better,’ he said.
‘But to truly achieve this vision, we need to invest in an international gateway that is worthy of the greatest country on earth.
‘By partnering with United Airlines and MWAA, we will create thousands of jobs and build a world-class airport filled with stunning architecture, efficient security screenings, hundreds of new flights, and improved mobility – all while preserving Dulles’ iconic primary terminal.
‘Say goodbye to those stale concourses, endless walkways, and those absurd mobile lounges, and say hello to a state-of-the-art facility that will inspire millions of flyers for generations to come.’