[Darkstar416]

A few of us forumers were at Toronto Pearson this past Saturday morning for the next round of their "time trials." This trial was basically a test-run of the phases of T1 (principally the new "hammerhead" pier) that will replace T2 services this coming January.

We were on a fictional flight to Detroit, MI via Jazz and things went very smoothly. Finding our counter, U.S. pre-boarding, security, finding our gate, etc., all went without a hitch.

Here are some photos from the day...

Waiting for the trials to begin...

The new hammerhead pier...

Each set of washrooms is marked by a different colour of tiles. They were always super-easy to find and (for now) were all spotlessly clean....

More hammerhead...

Plane spotting...

A perfect day to be "inside" one of the biggest indoor spaces in the city...

An info pillar...

New art in T1...

Ohh frosted glass! Honestly, it looks really good in a "yah, welcome to Canada bitch" sort of way.

Lotsa bridges!

A new T1 movator...

T2's demise will begin early in 2007.

New T1 art installation...

Fancy new elevators too!

Old T1 art...

T1 (cont.)

This is a model of the new Artstage public art exhibition overlooking the north side of Highway 401 between Renforth Drive and Dixie Road. This privately sponsored exhibition will remain at Toronto Pearson for a period of three years.

After three years new installations will be installed (and the old ones donated to public spaces in the city...but which city?)

Artstage (cont.)

Artstage (cont.)

Old T1 art that depicts the streetscape between Toronto Pearson and Toronto City Hall.

And that's that! All in all I'd have to say the next phase of T1 continues to give us something to be proud of!

 

[bizorky]

Great spread of images, Darkstar. Thank you!

Ohh frosted glass! Honestly, it looks really good in a "yah, welcome to Canada bitch" sort of way.

That cracked me up.


Every time I fly, I end up in Terminal two and never get to enjoy Terminal one. This will soon change, finally!

 

[building babel]

Did you get to see the Serra?

 

[p5archit]

The place is so.....lifeless and colourless, bordering on blandness. I think the architecture is fine, but jesus, there is zero vegetation and/or little other form of colour besides the odd art installation. Its like being in a hospital- but without all the sick people.

I think its a real shame that this is the case, because the airport could truly become something more, with a little more colour, and especially vegetation...

thanks for the pics...


p5

 

[jgreebnerg76]

I like it. Awesome pics! Thanks.

JG

 

[building babel]

People provide the colour.

The building is the ultimate neutral colour - grey - which creates visual calm. The acoustics are excellent - dead. The ceilings are high and airy. Memorable art creates a sense of place and orientation to the whole building. The gentle curve of the great hall also serves to make the general airport layout comprehensible. Signage is clear and restrained.

Two small quibbles: Not enough vertical connections between floors. Also, flight numbers on large digital displays might have been the main identifier for the baggage reclaim carousels, rather than smallish carousel numbers with spoken announcements telling you where to go.

 

[Urban Shocker]

That express movator thing was working, for the first time I've ever noticed, last Saturday. It doesn't get you there much faster, but it's mildly entertaining when you step-on and step-off.

 

[DavidJamesTO]

Holy thread necromancy Batman!

It was working just fine when I was there four months ago flying to Pittsburgh. All of them were.