Westin Denver International Airport

Challenges

The hotel is uniquely situated on airport property. The acclaimed architect, Gensler, with offices worldwide, took on the challenge of designing a building that would not obstruct the line of sight of air traffic controllers. The result is a one-of-a-kind, sleek and modern design that is built upon the imagery of flight and aviation. Resembling a bird in flight, the building is wing-shaped at each end, and the centre dips 50 feet to allow controllers a full view of the airways from the tower.

The roof of the hotel showcases the design to the estimated 53 million travellers passing through DIA each year. Decision makers wanted a durable and hassle-free roofing system that could withstand Colorado’s extreme Rocky Mountain climate, delivering snow, ice, hail, high wind, and a guaranteed 300 days of sunshine each year. The product also needed to be resistant to jet fuel fallout from the planes passing overhead. Roof installation was another challenge. Airport security practices extend to all parties on airport grounds. Crews installing the roof had to pass background checks and get security clearance daily. Furthermore, to keep airways and landing strips free from flying debris, all products and equipment had to be hauled onto and off the roof each day.

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Solution

In the spring of 2015, Douglass Colony Group, based in Commerce City, Colorado, an authorised FiberTite® contractor, installed a fully adhered, fleece back MOY FiberTite XT membrane on the roof of the new Westin Denver International Airport hotel. The system includes Dens Deck® prime cover board and two layers of two-inch polyisocyanurate, with a torch grade venting vapor barrier over the primed lightweight structural concrete deck.

Elevating Design and Durability for a Skyward Landmark