Noise-cancelling...Landscape

Grond-Geluid or "Groundsound' is the title of an acoustic landiscape project of Dutch designer Paul de Kort that reduces noise pollution around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of the world's busiest airports. Groundsound and the resulting public park, Buitenschot that resulted from the project offer grand ridges that mimic small sand ripples left by waves on a beach but they go a great distance in addressing the low frequency ground noise created by departing flights at the nearby airport.

More on Grond-Geluid...

• Freriks, K. 2013. Thresholds of Silence. Works That Work.
• Kehe, J. 2014. Clever Landscaping That Bounces Plane Noise Back Into the Sky. Wired.

New Virtual Greeter at Dulles International Airport

Future-ish would like to welcome Paige, a new virtual greeter by UK-based Tensator, to the growing team of hologram virtual greeters that are guiding humans to their destinations around the world. Holograms have made many appearances in science fiction movies but not since Max Headroom have virtual human counterparts received so much attention.

Paige is a new addition at the international gates at Dulles International Airport and, like any new employee, she is currently in her probationary period. Paige is the first virtual greeter in a US airport, on loan to the airport to evaluate the technology for use in things like directing passengers to destinations and providing information on forms required for travel. Other virtual greeters have been installed in airports around the world, as well as in a medical center and a large drug store...all to help humans move forward in a safe, orderly fashion. Essentially the next generation of queue control and management (farewell velvet ropes and stanchions), the technology is also a dynamic tool for delivering brand and promotional messaging. We expect to see many more virtual assistants and guides in the near future.

Far Out Architecture | TWA Terminal

Future-ish is on a mission to track down architecture ahead of its time. Our first instillation is none other than the TWA Terminal at JFK also known as the Trans World Flight Center. Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1962 the building remains one of the first and best known avant-guarde buildings from the 20th century.