Project: Marriott Hotel, Downtown Ft. Worth | DMG Masonry | Rendering from Merriman Anderson Architects | Cladding Application using Large GFRC Panels
GFRC Cladding for the Marriott Hotel
The architect for the Marriott Hotel in downtown Ft. Worth, TX, Merriman Anderson Architects, had the design objective of achieving a stone’s look and feel while cladding the building elevation on the three sides. They decided to use the Architectural GFRC, as the panels provide design flexibility and a very high strength-to-weight ratio, simplifying the installation.
The GFRC panels were required to seamlessly fit in with the existing building profile, requiring unique shapes and highly complex geometry for the individual pieces. The design intent was also to use large continuous panels rather than breaking them down into smaller sizes. The AAS team employed detailed engineering and CNC machining technology to fabricate custom molds for casting the panels. The team confirmed design feasibility and installation details using detailed review and revisions of CAD drawings.
The Marriott Hotel is in the busy Ft. Worth downtown area. There was a five-week window with planned street closures to complete the installation. AAS worked closely with DMG Masonry to manufacture and deliver the panels in a very tight timeframe.
Project: Marriott Hotel, Ft Worth, TX
Architect: Merriman Anderson Architects
Contractor: DMG Masonry
Product: Architectural GFRC
SETTINGS PLAN – EAST SIDE ELEVATION
The CAD drawing in this section shows the settings plan for the east side of the hotel elevation. Some of the GFRC panels used in this project are more than 20′ long. The designers preferred large size continuous panels rather than breaking them down into smaller pieces.
Marriott Hotel, Ft Worth, TX – Settings Plan – East Side Elevation
SECTIONAL CAD DRAWINGS EXAMPLES – PROFILE, ATTACHMENT DETAILS
Large GFRC panels with highly complex shape
Marriott Hotel CAD Drawing – Section 2.105 from the Settings Plan – Column plan – 1st level
Marriott Hotel CAD Drawing – Section 2.205 from the Settings Plan – Column cap corner plan – 2nd level
Coordination between a column cap and a cornice – Detailed engineering confirmed design feasibility and simplified installation process
One example profile of a cornice used for cladding the Marriott Hotel Elevation
GFRC PANELS – TECHNOLOGY, FABRICATION TECHNIQUE
The AAS team achieved the intended design effects on the GFRC panels using precisely fabricated molds and a specific spraying technique to cast the panels. The steel frame attachments were pre-engineered and built-in the large cornice and column panels during the manufacturing process. A detailed review of the attachment details early in the design phase minimized delay and risk during the construction process.
The GFRC panels are only 3/4″ thick. Still, the panels are durable with product life that is comparable to other stone products. With a very high strength to weight ratio of GFRC, large panels needed minimal structural support. The spraying technique for molding the GFRC panels ensured consistent product properties throughout the building elevations.
The manufacturing team designed specific jigs to detach the molds after the panels’ casting process was completed. The demarkation indent lines on the panels were precisely matched to emulate the look of the real stone.
GFRC Panels with Complex Profiles
Panel with Build-in Frame Ready for Shipping
GFRC panel being Cast with Steel Frame Attachments
GFRC panel with Pre-engineered Connections Loaded for Shipping
Integrated Separation Markings or Grooves in the panels to Emulate Look of Stone
Marriott Hotel – Ft Worth Texas – GFRC Panels More than 20′ Long
INSTALLATION PROGRESS IMAGES
GFRC Panels Delivered to the Marriott Hotel Site
Street Closures were Planned to Deliver and Install the Panels
Large size of Panels Helped Achieve the Intended Design using a very Small Number of Pieces
Design Aesthetic of Stone Pieces
Large Size Panels Precisely Matched Pre-existing Building Corners and Profile Variations
Marriott Hotel Elevation Cladding using GFRC Panels
Marriott Hotel Renovation – GFRC Installation in Progress
Marriot Hotel – North West Corner
Marriott Hotel – GFRC Cladding
Lightweight Large Panels Creating Look of Natural Stone Cladding
More than 20′ Long Panels
Detailed Engineering for Seamless Coordination of Columns and Cornices
