DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
-By Fentress Bradburn Architects
The massive, 1,200- by 240-foot facility features a striking "mountain range" canopy that utilizes Birdair's
innovative steel cable systems and durable PTFE Teflon-coated fabric membrane. Punctuating this "ridge and
valley" structure is a 900-foot atrium, known as the Great Hall, which rises to a height of 126 feet and welcomes
visitors with an abundance of translucent, natural light. This graceful, lightweight root incorporates two layers
of fabric membrane to ensure proper sound control and sufficient insulation against Denver's demanding
climate conditions.
Architect: Fentress Bradburn Architects
Building type: Airport
Project scope: Airport Terminal Building
Size: 189,000. sq ft. (17,558.9.m.)
Completed: 1995
Location: Denver, Colorado, United States.
TENSION
COMPRESSION TENT STRUCTURE
FORM ACTIVE STRUCTURE
TENSILE FABRIC LOAD AND FORCE DISTRIBUTION
Chemically inert, highly The main terminal great hall is the largest tensile roof
resistant to dirt and structure enclosing a single space in the world
pollution and provides a The fabric was chosen for lightness and speed of erection
long lifecycle with as well as aesthetic reasons
minimal service. Alluding the surrounding snowcapped rocking
mountains, the peaks are created by 34 masts placed in
pairs 45m apart with 18.3 between each pair
34 steel masts, ten miles of structural steel cable, and 3.8
miles of aluminum clam.
fiberglass architectural membrane.
The masts are topped by molded fiberglass reinforced
plastic caps in two sizes- 6' * 8' and 12' *28'.
MAST TOP Each of these conical canopies is 40 feet in width and 900
This is where the ridge feet and length and various in height.
cables, Arch shaped MAST EDGE CABLE WITH CLAMPS Max height is 45m and min height is 40m.
valleys and horizontal The masts are anchored to the Used mainly for PTFE coated
caables are attched to the framing of the roof surfaces along fibreglass, but also for PVC coated
masts. the surfaces along the east and west polyester when edge spans are nishika Agrawal
sides of the terminal. longer than 20m. 20009 | studio 20
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
CABLE ANCHOR ARCH SHAPED RIDGE CABLES
STRUCTURE VALLEY CABLES It resists downward forces
This is where the ridge cables, It resists upward and (snow load and dead load) and
valley and horizontal cables are outward loads (wind load) are draped between the masts.
attached to the masts.
MATERIALS
PTFE FIBREGLASS
The properties that make
STEEL MAST
Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE so
GLASS
useful include:
CONCRETE FLOOR
Low friction.
Inert.
Self-cleaning.
Durable.
Effective across a wide range of
temperatures.
Non-flammable.
Corrosive resistant.
High electrical resistance.
nishika Agrawal
20009 | studio 20
Primary Elements:
Seismic Zone: 2 Membrane
structural analysis All buildings and structures in the City and County of Denver shall
satisfy the requirements of seismic design category B, as a minimum.
Cables
Mast
steel truss
Secondary Elements:
glass
Pre Engineered Structures -
concrete floor
Repititive members walls
Membrane: Edge cable with clamps:
Forms the enclosure of the
structure.
m
45m 8.3
Arch shaped Cables: 1
Resist wind load and
upward load
Arch shaped Corner plates:
Accept cables and pin connection
Cables
Mast Supported fabric
structure:
Top plate connects the
fabric to the interior
masts.
Prewailing
west winds
top plate
Base plates:
Ridge cable:
Connection to
fabric concrete
foundation
interior masts pillar
nishika Agrawal
20009 | studio 20
design analysis
Integrated aesthetics
The design of the airport is characterized
by the integration of structural elements.
the cables are not only functional but also
visible as part of interior design.
Elevation:
The elevation of denver airport is
characterized by curved and tent like roof
structure.
Plan:
Roof Structure:
The overall plan of structure is rectangular in
The design of this airport is inspired by the Rocky Mountains.
shape.
The tent-like roof of the terminal is constructed with a tensile
Superstructure
PTFE membrane structure, just like snow mountains next to
each other.
The superstructure's design takes into
account the dynamic nature of airport
operations, including the movement of
passengers, vehicles, and aircraft, as well as
the external forces like wind and snow. The
combination of materials and structural
elements ensures that the load transfer system
effectively handles these various loads while
maintaining the structural integrity and
Curved and spacious interior: stability of the airport's superstructure.
The curved layout minimizes long, straight corridors.
nishika Agrawal
20009 | studio 20
technical and services analysis
Solar behaviour of PTFE membrane:
Rain divertors: Scuppers and Drains
Rain divertors as gutters are The rain divertors move the The roof material allows 10 percent of visible light
provided to redirect the flow of water to a central location, and to pass through the fabric during the day, while it
water is diverted towards scupper reflects 90 percent of solar radiation in a high-
drains and through piping that altitude environment, reducing solar heat gain.
leads to a draining system
Strength:
Longer life.
Most material are recyclable.
Less impact on site.
Lightweight and flexible.
Environmentally sensitive
Weakness:
Less rigidity.
Looks like temporary structure.
Light and ventilation: Limited height.
the mast top has openings for Cables can cause vibration in
Rain and snow : Denver International Airport adequate light and ventilation. earthquake prone areas due to
receives an abundance of snow that has to be its lightweight property.
Large glass windows are also provided for national lighting during the day.
removed by its maintenance crew.
The airport uses a combination of natural and artificial lighting systems.
nishika Agrawal
20009 | studio 20
