Architects picked to design main spaceport facility

A team of U.S. and British architects will design the primary terminal and hangar facility at Spaceport America, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced today.

The American firm URS Corporation will team with Foster + Partners of the United Kingdom to design the facility, which is to be leased for at least 20 years by Virgin Galactic.

The announcement was originally scheduled to be made at a news conference in Las Cruces on Friday. It was delayed because of a Thursday explosion that killed three people working on a rocket Virgin Galactic plans to use to fly paying customers into space from New Mexico. Though initial renderings are complete, they aren’t being released until the news conference can be rescheduled.

So all we get for now is a quote about their concept.

“The URS/Foster team presented us with a concept that blends sensitivity to the environment, cutting-edge technology and a stunning image and shape when viewed from high above,” Kelly O’Donnell, chair of the spaceport authority, said in a news release.

URS Corp. is a prominent firm that works in 20 nations. Foster + Partners has extensive experience in designing airport buildings.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the dynamic team chosen to design the world’s

first space terminal,” said Foster + Partners founder Norman Foster. “This technically complex building will not only provide a dramatic experience for the astronauts and visitors, but will set an ecologically sound model for future spaceport facilities.”

The state will now negotiate a contract with the two firms. Assuming that’s successful, a news conference to release more details and the renderings will be held in mid-August.