For a busy airport, I think KDCA's newer terminal is quite good, especially for O/D traffic.
Lots of glass so you can see the
airport and it's bright,
http://www.mwaa.com/_/Gallery%20Imag...erior_hall.jpg
Don't worry about how long it looks. O/D traffic walks crossways of the hall, not along its length.
Gates on short fingers,
Close to city,
http://www.mwaa.com/_/Gallery%20Imag..._aerial_bc.jpg
Metro station a five minute walk from your plane,
Parking garage a very few minutes beyond Metro.
http://users.erols.com/rcarpen/dca040813.jpg
A very narrow site for the terminal so a three-level design, departure roadway, ticketing & baggage check on balcony,
Main level has Metro & parking access, fingers with gates, a few restaurants and a wide range of shops. There are fast-food joints on the fingers w/ the gates.
Page 2 of
http://www.mwaa.com/_/File/_/shopnational.pdf
Lower level has baggage carousels and arrivals roadway. Lots of windows even here.
http://www.mwaa.com/_/Gallery%20Imag...horizontal.jpg
Now if they could just get the money to refurbish the original terminal, move the gates from "banjo" Terminal A and tear down A. The walk would be shorter and the original terminal has an impressive view.
http://www.mwaa.com/_/Gallery%20Imag...0_interior.jpg