John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 5
Architect: Eero Saarinen
Date Constructed: 1960

This building of reinforced concrete is shaped like a landing eagle; it was meant to symbolically capture the idea of flight while still working as an airport terminal. To build it, Saarinen departed from both the Beaux–Arts architectural tradition and the rising movements of modern architecture; his sensuous design was widely criticized at first but has since, quite rightly, been recognized as revolutionary and beautiful architecture. Despite its architectural importance, the terminal will likely be modified or partially enclosed during the current expansion at JFK Airport.