Roberta Aguirre
Denver International Airport is known for its unique design, which includes white tents that cover the airport's roof. The airport, which opened in 1995, is located 25 miles east of downtown Denver and is one of the busiest airports in the world. The tents, which cover 240,000 square feet, or enough space to cover four football fields, are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, allowing them to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -100 to 450 degrees. While the design is said to pay homage to the environment and history of Colorado, resembling the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees, the tents were also chosen for their durability, longevity, and environmental qualities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | 240,000 square feet, big enough to cover four football fields |
| Design | Resembles the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees |
| Purpose | More durable and long-lasting than a regular roof, with environmental qualities |
| Material | Woven fibreglass fabric coated with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane |
| Temperature withstanding capacity | -100 to 450 degrees |
| UV damage | Immune |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, cleaned by rain |
| Passengers | Protects over 70 million passengers yearly |
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What You'll Learn
- The tent design is an homage to Colorado's environment and history, specifically snow-capped mountains and Native American teepees
- The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane
- The roof covers 240,000 square feet, big enough to cover four football fields
- The design is one of the airport's defining traits, making it one of the most recognisable airports in the world
- The tents are durable, long-lasting and environmentally friendly, withstanding temperatures from negative 100 to 450 degrees
The tent design is an homage to Colorado's environment and history, specifically snow-capped mountains and Native American teepees
The Denver International Airport is known for its unique design, specifically the massive white tents that cover its roof. The airport's design has a colourful history. The tents, which cover 240,000 square feet, are an homage to Colorado's environment and history, specifically the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees. The design is meant to reflect the mountains and the Plains Indian teepees, an example of regional contextualism. The original concept was to mimic teepees, but this was changed to avoid causing offence.
The tented roof is instantly recognisable and helps to distinguish the airport. The airport is located 25 miles east of downtown Denver, and the roof can be seen from miles away. The airport is also home to plenty of unique and unusual art, including gargoyle statues and mysterious tunnels. The airport is one of the busiest in the world, protecting over 70 million passengers yearly.
The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, allowing them to withstand temperatures from -100° to 450°. They are immune to UV damage and easily cleaned by rain, making them durable and long-lasting. The airport is a "greenfield" airport, meaning it was a new design built on open space, rather than an expansion of an older airport. The Fentress architecture firm was responsible for the design, and one of their design principles is to "use context to create identity".
The airport has three concourses (Gates A, B and C) and one main terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal. The terminal features in an educational activity at the Denver Art Museum, where children are taught about the structure supporting the fabric.
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The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane
The Denver International Airport is known for its unique design, including its massive white tents that cover the roof of the airport. These tents are not just for aesthetics, but also for their durability, longevity, and environmental qualities. The tents cover 240,000 square feet, which is large enough to cover four football fields, and are designed to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -100°F to 450°F.
The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, also known as PTFE. This material is highly durable and flexible, with excellent mechanical strength provided by the woven fibreglass structure. It is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and is resistant to chemical and biological attacks, as well as long-term exposure to UV radiation. The PTFE coating gives the fabric a low-surface energy, allowing it to be easily cleaned by rainwater.
PTFE fiberglass membranes have advantageous shading properties, reflecting up to 73% of the sun's energy while transmitting a controlled amount of natural daylight. This makes them energy-efficient, particularly in warm climates or when combined with sloped glazing systems. The mesh construction of the fabric allows for increased lighting and air circulation, further enhancing its functionality.
The use of PTFE-coated fibreglass in architecture is versatile, as it can be installed in both vertical facades and roofing applications. It is non-combustible, making it suitable for high-rise rooftop shade structures. Additionally, it has a long life expectancy, requiring minimal maintenance, and is available in standard colour options.
The Denver International Airport's choice of PTFE-coated fibreglass fabric for its tents showcases a combination of design and functionality, creating a distinctive and iconic feature for the airport while also providing superior durability and performance compared to conventional materials.
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The roof covers 240,000 square feet, big enough to cover four football fields
The Denver International Airport is known for its unique design, particularly its massive white tents over the Jeppesen terminal. The roof, which covers 240,000 square feet, is a defining feature of the airport, visible from miles away. This distinctive design not only creates an instantly recognisable landmark but also serves a functional purpose.
The size of the roof is impressive, covering an area equivalent to four football fields. It is made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, a material chosen for its durability and ability to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from negative 100 to over 450 degrees. This construction ensures the roof's longevity and makes it immune to UV damage, with rain easily cleaning its surface.
The design of the roof was influenced by the desire to pay homage to the environment and history of Colorado. The white tents were inspired by the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees, reflecting the region's natural and cultural heritage. The design concept aimed to use context to create identity, connecting the airport's architecture to its local setting.
The Denver Art Museum even offers educational activities for children centred around understanding and appreciating the tent-like design of the airport. These activities involve hands-on experiments with fabric, foam, and popsicle sticks, allowing students to explore the structural principles behind the roof's design.
The tented roof of Denver International Airport is more than just an aesthetic choice. It symbolises the region's history and environment while also providing a functional and durable solution for the airport's roof, contributing to its recognition as one of the world's busiest airports.
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The design is one of the airport's defining traits, making it one of the most recognisable airports in the world
The Denver International Airport is known for its unique design, with its massive white tents over the Jeppesen terminal being one of its defining traits. The airport's design is iconic and has made it one of the most recognisable airports in the world. The white tents, which cover an area of about 240,000 square feet, are big enough to cover more than four football fields and can be seen from miles away. From the inside, the roof looks like the inside of a massive tent, and from the outside, it resembles the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees, paying homage to the environment and history of Colorado.
The design of the airport is not just about aesthetics. The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, making them durable and long-lasting. They can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -100 to 450 degrees and are immune to UV damage. The airport is a ""greenfield" airport, meaning it was a new design built on open space, and the Fentress architecture firm's design principle of "using context to create identity" is reflected in the structure's connection to the local setting.
The airport's layout is simple, with one main terminal and three detached concourses running parallel to each other. Concourse A is accessible via a pedestrian bridge, while Concourses B and C can only be reached via an underground tram. The airport is the fifth busiest in the United States and one of the busiest in the world, protecting over 70 million passengers yearly. It has a comprehensive airfield pavement management system and an excellent snow programme, recognised by the industry for its excellence.
Denver International Airport is also known for its unusual art, including gargoyle statues and mysterious tunnels. The design of the tents, with their resemblance to both the mountains and Native American teepees, adds to the airport's unique character and has become a symbol of the region's history and culture. The Denver Art Museum even offers educational activities for children to help them understand and appreciate the tent-like design of the airport.
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The tents are durable, long-lasting and environmentally friendly, withstanding temperatures from negative 100 to 450 degrees
The tents that cover the roof of Denver Airport are an iconic feature of the airport's design. They were chosen for their durability, longevity, and environmental qualities. The tents are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, which allows them to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from negative 100 to 450 degrees. This makes the tents highly durable and long-lasting, as they are immune to UV damage and can be easily cleaned by rain. The design also pays homage to the environment and history of Colorado, resembling the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees.
The airport, which opened in 1995, is a "greenfield" airport, meaning it was a new design built on open space rather than an expansion of an older airport. The design and construction were led by the Fentress architecture firm, which prioritised the use of context to create a unique identity for the airport. The result is a distinctive and functional airport terminal that has become one of the most recognisable in the world.
The tented roof covers an impressive 240,000 square feet, equivalent to more than four football fields. It is held up by cables connected to the edges of the fabric, giving it a peak-like shape. This unique design has sparked interest and curiosity and even inspired educational activities at the Denver Art Museum to help children understand the structure and engineering behind it.
The durability and longevity of the tents are not just visual. The material and construction methods make the tents highly resistant to extreme temperatures, ensuring a comfortable environment for the millions of passengers who pass through the airport each year. The tents also contribute to the airport's sustainability efforts, with their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions reducing the need for energy-intensive heating and cooling systems.
Denver Airport is known for its unique features, including the white tents, which have become a defining trait of the airport's identity. The tents not only serve a functional purpose but also symbolise the region's history and culture, creating a sense of place and connection for travellers passing through.
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Frequently asked questions
The tents are there for more than just aesthetics. They are made of woven fibreglass fabric coated with polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, allowing them to withstand temperatures from -100° to 450°. They are also immune to UV damage and are self-cleaning in the rain.
The tents cover 240,000 square feet, which is enough to cover four football fields and can be seen from miles away.
From the inside, the roof looks exactly like the inside of a massive tent.
The tents were designed to resemble the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees as a way to pay homage to the environment and history of Colorado.
Yes, in addition to the tents, the Denver International Airport is known for its gargoyle statues, mysterious tunnels, and an art installation called "Blucifer".
