Metal Makes Airport Design Take Off

Williston, N.D., has a history deeply rooted in the railroad and agriculture industries. Now a surge of oil-related jobs in the area is bringing about a population boom. A new airport was needed to meet the current and future travel needs in the region. The design and construction team was asked to build a terminal that was both people-oriented and reflective of the Williston Basin. “We were asked to create a modern terminal building design that is rooted in the Williston Basin sense of place, with a focus on providing hospitality-oriented design and amenities for the traveling public,” says Stefan Balaz, AIA, LEED AP, associate with Alliiance, an architectural firm in Minneapolis.

The design team needed to find a material for the façade that would not only accomplish their design intent but that was also low-maintenance, durable, and could hold up in the extreme North Dakota weather. Additionally, their design called for the façade material to be used inside the terminal. Therefore, the product also had to be refined enough to be used in an interior application.

Over 6000 square feet of Dri-Design Metal Wall Panels in Champagne painted and clear anodized finishes were chosen for exterior and interior applications. “Metal panels provide the long-term durability and low maintenance required by this building type. Bringing the metal to the interior was important for the overall expression of the architectural concept,” says Balaz.

The North Dakota weather tried to slow down the construction crews, particularly with most of the install happening in the winter. But the project was completed on time with an MG McGrath crew that has used Dri-Design panels many times. Ilha Aljoskin, senior project manager with MG McGrath, says, “I like the ease of installation and project delivery with shop drawings being taken care of by Dri-Design.” 

The 110,000-square-foot terminal building is a two-story structure with TSA checkpoints on the first level, four gate lounges, and a bar, restaurant, and retail on the second level. The airport has two runways and can accommodate 350,000 passengers annually.

“Creating the patterns with the metal panel and experimenting with the colors and finishes were fun design challenges that ultimately created the design expression,” Balaz says.

Metal wall panels can be seen on many airports because of their durability and low maintenance. Dri-Design Metal Wall Panels bring added value because they are a true rainscreen system with no tape, sealants, or caulk. The result is a customized panel with improved performance and longevity on the exterior and a complementary look and durability on the inside.

Learn more: dri-design.com