"I think this terminal building is the best thing I have done," Saarinen said of this elliptical airport outside the capital, considered one of the most modern airports in the world when it debuted in 1962. "Maybe it will even explain what I believe about architecture." The shrewd introduction of mobile lounges—transport vehicles designed by Chrysler to ferry passengers to their plane—allowed the architect to focus on an uncluttered floor plan and the flow of the space, highlighted by the curved roof and aerodynamic pylons. Photo 4 of 10 in Design Icon: Eero Saarinen

Design Icon: Eero Saarinen

4 of 10

"I think this terminal building is the best thing I have done," Saarinen said of this elliptical airport outside Washington, D.C., considered one of the most modern airports in the world when it debuted in 1962. "Maybe it will even explain what I believe about architecture." The shrewd introduction of mobile lounges—transport vehicles designed by Chrysler to ferry passengers to their plane—allowed the architect to focus on an uncluttered floor plan and the flow of the space, highlighted by the curved roof and aerodynamic pylons.