DECEMBER 2014 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \
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one of the structural systems would be difficult to design and
construct, andnow imagine that we’ve got themall inone build-
ing,” he added.
As the sleek hotel takes on a abstracted winged profile and
observers search for metaphorical inspiration for its shape, the
architectural team is quick to acknowledge that the project was
largely influenced by its connectivity to place, complex func-
tionality requirements for a rational and legible plan for visi-
tors, and the interplay of programmatic elements. “The facility is
unique in the world, bringing together a transportation hub, hotel
and public plaza that seamlessly interface with the airport func-
tions,” said Gensler Design Principal Kap Malik. “It’s so horizontally
and vertically intertwined to optimize movement throughout.”
Still Gensler and AMD had to pack a lot of program – 730,000
square feet (not including the open-air plaza) along with DIA’s and
RTD’s expansion plans – into the tight site. In addition to the con-
fined footprint, the FAA mandated the building’s maximum height,
while the adjacent bridges limited its width. So to meet DIA’s pro for-
ma for rooms, Gensler had to creatively reconsider the buildable enve-
lope. Instead of a ground-hugging box, the architects cantilevered the
hotel’s east and west ends over the roadways. They also had to maintain
an established view corridor to the Jeppesen tents and adhere to visi-
bility requirements from the air traffic control tower to the south cargo
runways – resulting in the gentle swale or saddle profile in the center
portion of the hotel. To celebrate the unique condition and to capture
inspiring views in all directions, Westin has positioned its pool and fitness
center at this location.
While the refined exterior palette of glass curtain walls, steel and precast
concrete panels articulate and unify the building’s varied uses, the interior
selections – many regionally sourced – will reflect the colors and textures
associated with Colorado’s seasonal changes. Moreover, with DIA’s LEED Gold
certification objective, the building will be a model of energy-conscious de-
sign. Sustainable features of the new facility include connection to light rail, a
high-performance envelope using triple-glazed windows with exposure-spe-
cific characteristics, on-site renewable energy sources, a smart cardkey system,
low-flow water fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping, energy-efficient and
natural lighting, storm drainage management and low-emitting construction
materials.
To facilitate the necessary coordination, the project team, including MHS and
DIA, relied heavily on intensive building information modeling protocols. “If
it had been done in a traditional manner,” said Mitchell, “we would still be
working on coordination issues.” One of DIA’s goals for the project was to make
sure the entire facility was accurately modeled in 3-D not only for the ease of
construction and coordination, but also for long-term facility maintenance and
operation. “We are now attaching QR tags to all the equipment,” said MHS exec-
utive Sisco, “so we can keep track of all commissioning, startup and inspection
processes electronically.” DIA’s Smith is excited for the updated Jeppesen to be
one of the first airports to integrate BIM with its asset management system.
Anticipating the future of DIA and its connection to Denver has been par-
amount to the entire Hotel and Transit Center design process. For example,
the train platform and canopy is designed to accommodate two additional rail
lines. Future baggage-handling facilities and security screening checkpoints
have been built in along with the construction of space and infrastructure for
the terminal-concourse train to extend to a remote south concourse someday.
“We have tried to future-proof the building as much as possible,” said Williams.
As the building comes together for next year’s planned opening in late 2015
– and the first trains pull into the transit center in 2016 – the design and its rela-
tionship to the Jeppesen terminal will again evoke debate. For all its complexity,
including the magnitude of coordination required to build it, DIA’s new hotel
and transit center at the very least represent an engineering feat of packaging
myriad moving parts into such a restricted space. At its best, it may just hold
that elusive quality of balance that former New York Times architecture critic
Paul Goldberger finds in the most memorable buildings – those where “the
order of convention is combined with the magic of invention.”
\\
\ Complexity and Collaboration \
Renderings courtesy of Gensler.
Photos courtesy of Denver International
Airport.
FACING PAGE:
Connecting the hotel and restaurant
interiors to the local context, Gensler
designed a dramatic ceiling inside the
new Westin three-meal restaurant
featuring Denver’s beloved urban
neighborhoods.
ABOVE TOP:
A vast open-air plaza links the hotel
to the existing Jeppesen Terminal.
Plans are underway to interface
with Denver’s Arts and Venues to
develop programming for the space.
Events could include car shows, art
installations, concerts, and possibly
athletic events like sand volleyball.
ABOVE BOTTOM:
Gensler’s design for the hotel
restaurants and bars will have a
distinctly Colorado feel. The selected
palette of colors and textures will reflect
the region’s dramatic seasonal changes.
Abundant windows will orient and
connect visitors to their surroundings.
