Photo 4 shows basic cadets climbing a ramp to the Terrazzo Level
of the Cadet Area. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill used the Air
Force Academy project to test new technology and building
materials. Because of the extensive use of glass (more than one
million square feet) and the sunny climate, the firm convinced
glass makers to produce a gray tinted glass to absorb heat and
light. SOM also experimented with anodizing the aluminum to
prevent discoloration and used new finishing techniques for the
granite covering the huge retaining walls. Questions for Photo 4
1. What new technologies did SOM use for the Air Force Academy
project? What evidence of these can you find in the photo? 2. In
your own words, how would you describe the architectural style
of the building shown in the photo? 3. What are the cadets doing
in this photo? Why do you think the cadets at the top of the
ramp are dressed differently than those marching up the ramp? *
The photo on this screen has a resolution of 72 dots per inch
(dpi), and therefo