PROJECT OVERVIEW
The project is a 193,500 sq ft, 11-story hospitality development in downtown Nashville, designed to bring nearly 200 guest rooms, ground-level retail, and food and beverage spaces into a dense urban setting. Structured parking is integrated within the lower levels, supporting accessibility while maintaining a reduced overall footprint. Developed as part of ongoing growth in the downtown core, the project responds to increased demand for hospitality while contributing to a more walkable, connected environment.
Precast concrete was selected early to support an efficient and coordinated building approach. The regular stacking of guest rooms aligned with a repeatable panel layout, allowing the exterior envelope to be delivered as a cohesive system with integrated glazing. This approach streamlined installation, reduced on-site labor, and supported schedule certainty in a constrained urban site, while improving overall construction quality and safety. The project’s sustainability approach is rooted in efficient use of materials, long-term durability, and responsible urban development. Repeatable panel design reduced material waste, controlled manufacturing processes, and minimized jobsite disruption, while factory-installed glazing improved consistency and reduced field rework. Combined with the project’s urban infill location, walkability, access to transit, and reduced parking footprint, these strategies support a more sustainable built community and contributed to achieving LEED certification.
Visually, the building is defined by a ribbed facade composed of vertical and horizontal patterns that introduce texture and scale. Angled panel projections create variation across the elevations, allowing the exterior to shift with changing light throughout the day. Two concrete colors and finishes distinguish the base from the tower above, reinforcing a clear transition between uses while maintaining a cohesive architectural expression that complements the surrounding downtown context.
PRECAST SOLUTION
Precast concrete was selected early in the design process for its ability to align with the building’s repetitive guestroom layout while delivering efficiency, constructability, and design flexibility. The regular spacing of guestroom stacks translated directly into a repeatable panelization strategy, allowing the team to standardize panel sizes, reduce form counts, and streamline manufacturing. This modular approach also made it possible to incorporate angled projections into the facade without adding unnecessary complexity to production or installation. In total, more than 44,000 sq ft of architectural precast wall panels were manufactured and erected, including 168 units with factory-installed glazing.
The use of factory-installed glazing within the panels improved quality control and consistency while reducing field labor and minimizing the need for scaffolding. This approach enhanced jobsite safety and accelerated enclosure, allowing interior construction to begin sooner and supporting overall schedule efficiency. The use of pre-glazed panels accelerated dry-in, allowing interior trades to begin work earlier and reducing overall construction duration. Repetition in panel sizing and layout further reduced material waste and contributed to a more controlled and predictable construction process. Together, these strategies provided measurable cost and schedule advantages, supporting greater efficiency and certainty during a period of market escalation.
A custom formliner strategy was developed to achieve the desired ribbed facade while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. Rather than producing numerous unique molds, the team implemented a master mold approach with adjustable components to introduce variation across panels. This allowed the facade to maintain a dynamic, varied appearance while limiting the number of forms required. An acid-etched finish was selected to enhance the texture and depth of the concrete, creating a subtle play of light and shadow while reinforcing the building’s scale and material quality.
Read more about this project in the Fall 2024 issue of Ascent. |