Touting a new terminal building and $1.3 million control tower, the Dallas Executive Airport is one of the metro area’s most robust aviation facilities. (below) The new control tower constructed on the west side of the airport encourages additional development in that vicinity.
The metallic exterior material for the terminal/conference center recalls the sleek aerodynamics of aircraft. The building’s silhouette morphs as the viewer’s position changes, evoking the spirit of flight. The terminal facade features 30,000 square feet of 4 mm aluminum composite panels with a bright silver metallic finish. Another 1,300 square feet of aluminum composite material in a bronze finish accent the
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exterior. In addition, more than 4,000 square feet of 4 mm stainless steel composite panels cover the exterior wall of the control tower. The design team felt that the exterior finishes created an aesthetic character appropriate for an airport environment, reflective of aviation and the dynamics of flight—a setting where a metallic surface seemed in context. The project also called for a contemporary exterior suggestive of corporate travel. “The owner wanted a look that played off the highgrade metallic look of the jets that fly into and out of the airport,” Glass said. In addition, the all-metal facade system made of recycled material enabled the City of Dallas to seek LEED certification for the airport tower and terminal. And while the city was prepared to pay a premium to obtain the look they wanted, Glass said, the bids for the metal systems were eq ua l to or lower than those tendered for another composite system. The new air traffic control tower meets FA A sta nda rds a nd m a kes a stron g a rchitectural statement serving as an emblem for the a ir por t a nd integrating visually with the terminal. The
materials selected are identical to the materials used in the new general aviation terminal facility located across the airport runways from the control tower site. Located just 250 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, the renovated terminal and tower must withstand wide temperature swings, as well as heavy rains, severe thunderstorms, and blowing dust. To ensure a tight seal, the metal panel systems incorporate open joints with integral gaskets that don’t require sealants or weather barriers. This, in turn, is expected to lower maintenance costs resulting from frequent cleaning and re-caulking, and ensure that the airport won’t require additional exterior renovations for many years to come. pro jec t clien t
Dallas Executive Airport Terminal, Dallas
City of Dallas
a rchi t ec t de sign
GRW Willis, Inc. Charles A. Willis, AIA; Brian Glass, AIA;
t e a m
R. Scott Ashton, Assoc. AIA Meridian Commercial
con t r ac t or
con s u lta n t s
Campos Engineers (MEP); Charles Gojer and
Associates (structural); Engineering Installation Services (control tower equipment) pho t ogr a pher
re source s
Pave;
Scott Womack
concrete pavement :
fences , gates , and hardware :
Bomanite; porous paving : Gravel INOX Rails;
architectural metal
work : Architectural Building Components; railings and handrails : INOX
Rails; metal ceilings : Adams Campbell; roof and wall panels : Alcoa Architectural Products; fascia and soffit panels : Alcoa Architectural Products; entrances and storefronts : EFCO Corp.; glass : Oldcastle; control tower glass :
ACI; tile : American Olean; terrazzo : American
Terrazzo Co.; awnings : Fabrotech
t e x a s
a r c h i t e c t
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