NASHVILLE AIRPORT HILTON
NASHVILLE, TN
Solarban® glass by Vitro supports Nashville Airport Hilton’s energy efficient, aesthetic and acoustic performance goals
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Vitro Architectural Glass Products: |
Solarban® 90 Glass |
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Architect: |
Rabun Architects |
| Vitro Certified® Fabricator: |
TriStar Glass Inc. (Grand Prairie, TX) |
| Glazing Contractor: |
McInerney & Associates, Inc. |
| General Contractor: |
Crain Construction |
| Photographer: |
Jim Cunningham |
Project Background
The new 14-story Hilton at Nashville International Airport, designed by Rabun Architects, sets a high standard for aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency and acoustic performance, utilizing advanced glazing solutions from Vitro Architectural Glass. As the first onsite hotel, this project successfully integrates superior functionality with striking design.
The building's facade features a curtain wall constructed with Solarban® 90 glass, which provides exceptional solar control, delivering visible light transmittance (VLT) of 51% and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.23. This ensures a comfortable interior environment for travelers. Complementing the curtain wall are prefabricated window units made of Solarban® R77 Optiblue® glass. These panels offer a neutral-reflective, soft silver-blue aesthetic and deliver VLT of 34% and SHGC of 0.21.
Although there is no universal exterior reflectivity requirement for buildings surrounding an airport, it is an important topic. Colored glass substrates, like Optiblue® glass, help to reduce exterior reflectivity and glare that can be dangerous to pilots in passing planes. Tinted glass also offers occupants privacy, while still allowing them to see out.
A key innovation was prefabricating the windows within precast concrete panels in a factory-controlled environment. This method enhanced quality, reduced breakage risk and accelerated on-site construction.
To manage noise from the nearby runways, the design incorporated triple-pane, high-rated acoustical windows. The project team also navigated stringent FAA regulations and coordinated construction around peak travel times to deliver the tallest structure within a two-mile radius of the airport.
Design highlights of the Nashville Airport Hilton include an impressive rooftop Sky Pavilion that offers panoramic views, creating a unique experience for guests to relax and take in the surrounding scenery. Additionally, the ninth-floor fitness center, enclosed in sleek floor-to-ceiling glass, provides an inspiring space for exercise while allowing visitors to enjoy natural light and expansive views. These standout features showcase the adaptability and superior performance of Vitro products, playing a key role in setting a new standard for both design and functionality in airport hotel architecture.
Visit vitroglazings.com or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457) to learn more about Vitro’s architectural glass portfolio.
