Self+Tucker Architects


Blue Note

This project consists of demolition and build-out of a new themed concession venue for 5,500 sqaure feet in the Memphis International Airport. The theme is to pay tribute to the past and present Delta Blues Music. The interior space is used by passengers for smoking on the secured side of the airport. Non-smoking is accommodated by seating designed to represent a street scale patio of older Beale Street building façade in the concourse walkway. Here a starlit marquee and terrazzo piano keyboard draws you into the entrance. A live performance stage also serves as the focus point to an original arkwork by New Orleans artist Dr. Bob who is well-known in the blues music circuit. During live performance, a ceiling level blue laser pulses in time with the music while patterning the cigarette smoke before it is evacuated through the special systems designed for the space.