Creating a Sense of Place at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport

Creating a sense of place involves designing a space to reflect the local geography, landscape and culture. By doing this, airports and transportation hubs can position themselves as a destination in their own right, and highlight the role they play in their community.

Arconas recently had the pleasure of working with Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), a destination that has embraced creating this sense of place. BZN is Montana’s busiest airport, providing year-round service for two Yellowstone National Park entrances. BZN also serves Big Sky Ski Resort, Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana State University, as well as countless other recreation and business destinations in the Bozeman, Belgrade, and Livingston area.

As one of the main entrances to big sky country, BZN is frequented by millions of tourists and nature enthusiasts each year looking to experience and play in the natural landscape. Thus, it makes perfect sense for the airport experience to be a part of this journey.

When visitors enter the Bozeman Airport Terminal, they are wowed by high natural wood ceilings and stone fireplaces. Sprawling windows let in an abundance of natural light and offer an unobstructed view of the surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges.

 

Arconas worked directly with the airport to supply our Bernù Aero beam seating with red (claret) upholstery and custom black beams to match the existing color scheme. Complementing the rest of the natural elements used in the décor, the burnt red color is reminiscent of a summer sunset, as well as the colorful iron rich soil found in parts of Yellowstone National Park.

 

Completing the sense of place at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport are displays of artwork and artifacts depicting the character and nature of Southwest Montana. All these factors combined turn a transient space such as an airport into an experience of its own.