Situated only 5 miles (8 km) from downtown Dallas, Love Field Airport serves as the gateway to the city for more than 4 million airline passengers a year. When the city’s Department of Aviation decided to impart a sleeker, more contemporary look to the aging terminal as part of a recent expansion and modernization program, the facility’s existing baggage claim was one of the first areas to be remodeled. One of the major changes to the existing space was to install an undulating, free-flowing, linear metal ceiling that introduced an aerodynamic “feel” to the space.
Lighter, Brighter and More Open
The baggage claim area was originally constructed in 1958 and subsequently renovated in 1985. While it sufficed for some time, it became cramped, congested and claustrophobic with the continued growth of airline traffic into Dallas.
According to Dan Hursin, senior architect for CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene, Englewood, Colo., the space was also poorly illuminated, had a substandard HVAC system and contained a variety of high-maintenance interior finishes.
“The space had simply become outdated and obsolete,” Hursin said. “The Department of Aviation realized that the space acts as the transition point between the airport and the city and thus needed a complete overhaul.”
He explained that one of the city’s objectives was a space that was lighter, brighter and more open. As a result, one of the first steps taken by the design team was to “peel back the roof” of the existing structure and add a ribbon of 9-foot- (3-m-) high clerestory windows, thereby introducing more natural light into the area.
“We had to keep the existing structural steel system in place,” Hursin explained, “so this gave us a way to work around it.”
The newly exposed existing interior beams resulting from the “peel back” were then wrapped in prefinished metal panels.
Creating Ceiling Height
To provide a more open interior, the design team believed it was imperative to create as much ceiling height as possible. The existing ceiling was gypsum board with a sprayed-on “popcorn” texture. However, it was only 8 1/2-feet (2.5-m) high in places, which, as Hursin noted, was far too low and unacceptable in a public space.
To solve this design challenge, the design team had to work around a large 36-inch by 24-inch (914-mm by 610-mm) air supply duct that ran down the entire length of the baggage claim area.
To conceal the ductwork and, at the same time, create as much ceiling height as possible, the design team created an undulating ceiling that goes under the duct and then up and over the beams. The new ceiling ranges in height from 8 feet to 21 feet (2 m to 6 m).
Aerodynamic Appearance
Chosen for use in the space was a MetalWorks Linear ceiling from Armstrong Ceilings, Lancaster, Pa. Hursin noted that metal was selected as the ceiling material for a number of reasons.
“We were limited in what we could use because of the range of radii needed to implement our design,” he said. “We required a ceiling material that offered flexibility and could be installed relatively easily. The linear metal ceiling turned out to be the best solution.”
Measuring nearly 300-feet (91-m) long and 62-feet (19-m) wide, the new ceiling features long, narrow, painted, 0.022-inch- (0.6-mm-) thick aluminum planks that are white in color and 4 inches (102 mm) wide, including a 1-inch- (25-mm-) wide black reveal that separates the planks and provides the ceiling with an eye-catching light-dark contrast.
When designing the ceiling, Hursin explained that aesthetics were the prime consideration, followed by acoustic performance, durability and ease of maintenance.
In terms of aesthetics, Hursin noted, “The white color provided the light, bright look we sought, while the black reveals added crispness to the space and helped emphasize the sight lines.
“The metal ceiling also allowed us to introduce a more aerodynamic appearance into the space. We wanted the look of the ceiling to flow and to be conducive to an aviation environment, and this ceiling accomplished that.”
Better Acoustics
Good acoustics was another objective, especially because the existing carpet was replaced with a new terrazzo floor. To improve the sound absorbing properties of the metal ceiling, the planks are perforated and backed with an acoustical fleece.
“Considering that the space has a hard floor, the city is quite pleased with the acoustic performance,” Hursin pointed out. “It’s actually a relatively quiet area.”
He also noted that in addition to the carpeting, the original baggage claim area was filled with many other high-maintenance interior finishes, as well.
“The type of finishes you don’t often see in today’s airports,” Hursin said. “Because of the high traffic volume in the space, we were definitely looking for fi nishes that offered durability and low maintenance.”
Signature Look
In terms of installation, Hursin explained that the biggest challenge was the need to complete the entire renovation while keeping the baggage claim area operational.
“This is the only baggage claim area in the facility, so we couldn’t shut it down altogether,” Hursin said. “As a result, construction was completed in phases, with much of the work done at night.”
Installation of the metal ceiling was handled by Southwest Commercial Interiors of Carrollton, Texas.
Finally, Hursin said that even though it’s in the baggage claim area, the new ceiling has helped give a “signature” look to the airport and possibly one that may be more common throughout the facility in the future. The reason: The city of Dallas is initiating an even more extensive, multiyear terminal expansion and modernization program at Love Field.
Commenting on the possible new look of the facility, Hursin noted, “As a visually distinctive design element, the ceiling can have a big impact in public spaces such as airports.”
The renovated baggage claim area can attest to that.
