The interior tenant improvement of Spaceport America for Virgin Galactic’s “Gateway to Space” south of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico is a case study in fluid lines and customer experience. The lower level of the space (Gaia) makes use of sinuous massing and voids in earth-toned materials to evoke the feeling of nature and the terrain of the surrounding landscape. The curving timber strips then transition to ephemeral white pickets in the upper level (Cirrus) of the atrium which conjure the image of clouds and sky. These gestures unify the first and second floors of the gateway into the conventional human experience while the third floor gives way to the vast darkness of space and the opportunity for reflection upon the individual’s upcoming shift of perspective in their relationship with the globe.

The ground floor provides for a gathering and viewing area for astronauts, friends and family with food services from a full commercial kitchen. The space opens directly onto the spacecraft ramp for the “right stuff” moment prior to flight. The upper level of the atrium houses the Mission Control, Briefing, and staff workstation space for operations. The third level is for astronaut training and reflection.