AC Hotel Dallas by the Galleria

The design of the AC Hotel Dallas by the Galleria is rooted in the abstract ideas of Catalan Modernism which finds particular significance by way of the AC brand’s Spanish heritage.  Expressed using the sharp-edged geometries of the facade, the building simultaneously embodies the characteristic plasticism of the Catalan ethos and the pragmatism defining the Dallas lifestyle.

With this design framework, the project seeks to catalyze a progressive architectural tone for the imminent redevelopment of the Dallas Midtown district and Dallas at large.  The urban select service hotel is a keynote structure for the 4-billion-dollar pedestrian-oriented master plan.  Prominently located at the corner of a future 5-acre central park, the hotel features 120 guestrooms, 10,000 SF of meeting facilities, and 10,000 SF of combined lounge, corner bar, study, library, and dining areas.  The AC Hotel weavesat its corner with another hotel that is similarly scaled.

The architecture merges the AC Hotels’ modern Spanish design sensibility with Dallas' pragmatic urbanism.  Simply conceived as a lightweight latticework that levitates above the hotel's public space, the facade's faceted planes evolve under the diffusive north light throughout the day along with the color and light cast from the sky.  The lattice serves up an architectural fabric that drapes across the transparent lobby and lounge; views between the public pedestrian realm and the lush, bamboo-lined pool courtyard are seamless. 

The skin splays down to the street level, engaging with passing pedestrians, and their dogs, encouraging interaction with the architecture along the interstitial exterior space it creates between the streetscape and the lobby.  The skin design relies on a precisely fabricated metal rainscreen cladding system which requires a high degree of manual fabrication skills.  Careful attention was spent on the depth and angle of each piece as a singular element and their intricate transitions with the rainscreen tile panels, progressing the material language across the façade.

Layered ceiling planes in the public space bring warmth to the expansive 'Dallas Midtown's Living Room' and suggestively subdivide the zones of social interaction.  In daytime, the lobby and lounge are one contiguous limpid space that feels as an extension of the streetscape and the courtyard.  During the evening, it's a warm-cast voluminous space with views out to the urban night scene and the internal pool party.

Material Used :
1. Amerlux
2. A-Light
3. Halo
4. Portfolio
5. Metalux
6. Eureka
7. MWC
8. Elemental
9. Nuvo
10. Luminii
11. American Lighting
12. Prima
13. Malmstrom White Co
14. WilsonArt
15. Impression Veneers
16. Alucabond PE
17. Neolith
18. Parex EIFS
19. Cement Board Fabricators
20. Genflex (Tarsco)
21. CR Laurence
22. Boon Edam
23. Record USA
24. RayDoor
25. Dormakaba
26. Daltile
27. Pantheon
28. Ceramic Technics
29. Shaw
30. Jamie Stern
31. Armstrong
32. Johnsonite
33. MDC
34. Maharam
35. Trulite
36. Cardinal

Dallas’ ever-expanding downtown district serves as an epicenter for commerce, cuisine, and nightlife. One of the latest additions to its hospitality sector is the visually captivating AC Hotel Dallas. The new five-floor boutique hotel is centrally located to provide easy access to Fair Park, The Galleria retail center, and the eclectic city life. It boasts 120 guestrooms, 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event facilities, and an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of recreational space that includes a lounge, corner bar, library, and restaurant.

In designing the building’s aesthetic elements, architecture firm 5G Studio Collaborative sought to capture Dallas’ southern hospitality and dynamic cultural identity. The result is a building envelope that’s as inviting as it is unique and refined.

The first-floor facade showcases an all-glass look using CRL’s 4500 SG Curtain Wall. The system is structural silicone glazed, which eliminates exterior vertical extrusions. This gives way to expansive glass spans that promote daylighting, transparency, and a seamless transition to the lively interior space. In essence, the floor plan forms an extension of the streetscape, offering a welcoming atmosphere to passersby.

AC Hotel’s upper-floor facade stands in bold contrast to its all-glass bottom level. An off-white metal cladding system is intricately weaved into modular forms of geometric complexity. Sharp diagonal edges conspicuously protrude to create a structural exoskeleton. The faceted planes cast fluid shades as the sun travels across the sky, representing Dallas’ evolving landscape.

To balance the vigorous geometrical visual and provide cohesion with the first-floor glass facade, guestrooms are outfitted with large windows that incorporate CRL’s FT601 Storefront. The high-performance system is thermally broken to help maintain comfortable interior temperatures and reduce cooling loads. Flush glazing and a slim 2” face trim enhance AC Hotel’s overall streamlined design.

Downtown Dallas offers a distinct urban setting that resonates with energy. With help from CRL customized glazing systems, AC Hotel’s iconic facade captures the city’s growing cultural and architectural diversity, acting as a gateway to contemporary southern comfort.