# Glass Airplane Apertures This US Air Force Academy Features a Skylight Shaped Like a Plane's Wing By M | Published 2016-06-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-force-academy References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2016/06/16/som-skidmore-owings-merrill-center-character-leadership-development-us-air-force-academy-colorado-springs/) & [som](http://www.som.com/) The US Air Force Academy in Colorado opts for a structural design that reflects the services the organization offers with a skylight shaped like a plane's wing that protrudes from the building. The airplane aperture is a design executed by the team at [Skidmore, Owings & Merrill](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jpmorgan-chase). The skylight is a creative use of glass material to recreate a life sized plane wing. The aperture is located at the [Centre for Character and Leadership Development](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dream-house) where students are trained to become full-time officers. The skylight sits above one of the auditoriums allowing natural sunlight to flood in the space, while simultaneously acting as a reminder of the theme of educational facility. The glass wing is three dimensional with a direction that points towards the North Star. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 40% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Glass Airplane Apertures:** Glass apertures in the shape of airplane wings are becoming a popular design trend in architectural projects. - **Skylight Innovations:** Incorporating skylights as unique architectural features offers opportunities for creative and functional designs. - **Symbolic Structural Elements:** Designing structural elements that reflect the purpose or theme of a building can enhance the overall experience and impact. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architects can explore the integration of glass airplane apertures and innovative skylight designs in their projects. - **Education:** Educational institutions can consider incorporating symbolic structural elements to create inspiring learning environments. - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry can leverage the use of airplane-inspired design elements in architectural projects to showcase their innovations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Illuminated Seated Chamber Skylights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leading-skyspace.md) - [Swooped Roof Chinese Airports](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lishui-airport.md) - [Sand Dune-Inspired Airport Roofs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-pedersen-fox.md) - [Dynamic Military Archive Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pritzker-military-archives-center.md) - [Expansive Airport Roof Canopies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portland-airport.md) - [Conical Glass Pavilion Wineries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertical-panorama-pavilion.md) - [Textile-Inspired Skyscraper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airside.md) - [Gold-Tonal Metal Building Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skylab.md) - [Modern Blue-Accented Academic Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marie-esther-pavilion.md)