Under the hot Texas sun, the AC Hotel and Residence Inn gracefully catches the movement of light and shadow that unfolds across its façade. On a quiet street in North Dallas, Marriott’s latest outpost announces itself with a kinetic energy that plays out across the cool white cladding. Designed by 5G Studio Collaborative, the hotel also brings a surprising hint of Spanish flair to Texas – thanks to Neolith‘s innovative Sintered Stone.
The striking building envelope combines a precisely fabricated metal rainscreen with an elegant frame of Sintered Stone that clads the hotel’s east and west elevations and extends across the showpiece soffit to create a welcoming and dynamic point of entry for visitors. Inspired by Italian marble, the bold grey veins and hints of gold in Neolith’s Calacatta finish brings a sense of warmth and vitality to the exterior.
Contrasting the crisp angularity of the hotel’s white metal rainscreens, Neolith’s Sintered Stone finish introduces a natural aesthetic – with the benefit of a more versatile, durable and sustainably sourced material. While the delicacy and porosity of marble makes it unsuitable for use as an exterior cladding system, Neolith’s unique formulation combines high-definition detailed decoration with the high-performance qualities of engineered stone.
Compared to natural counterparts, Sintered Stone is substantially more weather-resistant, with almost zero porosity, which allows for a vastly expanded range of possibilities. At the AC Hotel, the durable building envelope is also an eye-catching (and aesthetically unifying) design motif that helps define the visitor experience.
According to 5G associate and designer Lauren Cadieux, Neolith’s unique properties made it an obvious choice. “The client requested a natural-looking material for this project, however genuine rock such as marble is susceptible to staining and breakage,” says Cadieux. “We suggested Neolith because not only is it classic and elegant, but it is strong and long-lasting. The design journey was an enjoyable one as we were able to maintain the initial concept right from the beginning stages until completion.” It shows in the result.
Cadieux describes the finished product as “a seemingly floating façade that transitions effortlessly across the front, west and east sides of the exterior” to create a welcoming ambiance for the 5,000-square-foot entrance pavilion. But there’s more to it than the sleek trapezoid-shaped slabs: Neolith also provided installation and technical support to the project through the implementation of its pioneering StrongFix system.
The StrongFix system is tailored specifically for each installation, offering a complete package: the slabs, anchoring system, cutting as well as assembling services and consulting all stem from a single source. For local fabricator, installer and regional Neolith distributor Holland Marble, it made for a seamless process.
“While Neolith is well known for its application in kitchens and bathrooms, architects are increasingly specifying the brand for exterior cladding projects, truly showcasing its versatility and durability,” notes Zuzana Holland, Commercial Sales Manager at Holland Marble.
Situated at the locus of the $4 billion “Dallas Midtown” development, the AC Hotel is an early highlight of the rapidly growing neighbourhood – and a showcase of Neolith’s versatility. But the striking cladding only reveals a hint of Sintered Stone’s possibilities, which range from kitchens and bathrooms to furnishings and, of course, façades.
This content was published by Azure on behalf of Neolith.
Sintered Stone Lends Depth and Dimension to a Dallas Hotel
Neolith’s pioneering material fosters a sense of luxe comfort – and stands up to the Texan heat.