max touhey photographs JFK’s TWA terminal before its renovation

at the end of july, governor of new york andrew cuomo announced two monumental developments for the city’s two major airports airports: a vision for an estimated 4 billion dollar overhaul of laguardia airport and the construction of a state-of-the-art hotel at JFK, housed within the historic TWA flight center. while the news of a new laguardia was welcomed by most, the reuse of world-renowned architect eero saarinen’s iconic trans world flight center left many feeling nostalgic. despite its anticipated 505 guestrooms, 40,000 square feet of conference, event, and meeting space, and a 10,000 square foot observation deck, the announcement urged historians and photographs to document the landmark site before its likely-unrecognizable transformation.

the images highlight the architectural details of the iconic site
all images © max touhey for curbed NY

the news mobilized lori waters, historian and researcher at the institute for simulation and training university of central florida, to organize a team at chronopoints to digitally document the historically significant structure through the application of 3D terrestrial laser scanning, with additional photography taken by max touhey. take a look at a few images from the shoot below and the full series on curbed NY.

plush chairs line the wall

a nook provides seating space for both intimate and social applications

the TWA terminal embodies a time of travel with a sense of elegance and adventure

red seats are organized around a well-lit, heart-shaped alcove in the space

the images document one of the great representations of mid-century modern architecture before its renovation

the vast, vacant interior has been scanned and documented by camera

the wing-like facade of the main terminal

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