Architects selected a façade from Bendheim for a new parking structure, part of a major upgrade for the Kansas City International Airport.
The new air terminal for Kansas City opened on Feb. 28, replacing two structures built in 1972. The modernization effort also included a new seven-story parking structure. Over 2 million square feet in size, the building provides parking for 6,219 vehicles. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill served as principal architects for the overall project, named “Build KCI.” The Kansas City-based firm of BNIM took lead on the parking facility, in a design-build partnership with general contractor JE Dunn.
Bendheim's involvement
Bendheim joined this effort from the design stage, collaborating with its partner Längle Glas to create custom-engineered fastening systems for the parking facility’s ventilated façade. Bendheim ultimately provided over 50,000 square feet of tempered and laminated glass for the project. As a trained architect, Said Elieh, vice president for sales and innovation, Bendheim, was able to contribute to planning work before construction began.
“Having someone on the Bendheim side that understands the design vision we’re trying to achieve, but can bring that technical capacity on the manufacturer side to help realize that conceptual vision, is important,” says Joshua Harrold, associate principal, BNIM. “I think Bendheim has been a great collaborator in that respect.”
About the facade
At KCI, the “shingled” design of the façade creates pockets of air that slide between the glass panels, creating airflow in and out of the garage.
The size and weight of the glass panels, most as large as 6 feet by 14 feet and each weighing 800-plus pounds, called for a carefully designed attachment system, say officials. Bendheim and Längle designed and manufactured custom vertical compression clip systems for the project, allowing a costly steel substructure to be eliminated from the design. The 14-inch long clips support the length and weight of each panel while accommodating construction tolerances, live load movement, wind loads, and expansion joints.
Bendheim and Längle also kept ease of installation at the forefront of their design process. “We were very impressed with the Bendheim system,” says Paul Fischer, project manager and field foreman, AGP Inc. “It was designed very well and the installation of the system and the glazing was a breeze.”
“We were extremely proud to bring our understanding of glass and our extensive experience with ventilated parking façades to this historic undertaking,” says Elieh. “No two façade projects are alike and we look forward to making further contributions to the renewal of America’s infrastructure.”
