Hilton Anatole: Atrium II Renovation

Landscape Architecture by MESA

The atrium pools are polished black granite raised one foot above the atrium floor. The negative edge design allows water to flow over the side into a lower basin of black beach lava stones, creating the sounds of moving water, augmented by the bush-hammered finish on the outer sides of the pool. The negative edge is blue-gray granite to contrast with the black granite. Granite slabs are set in the garden among the 21 ficus trees and Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig' groundcover. Bald cypress logs offer additional seating.
Photo: King Harrell

The Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, is a 33-year-old landmark just outside the city's downtown at the Dallas Market Center, featuring one of the largest private art collections in the world throughout the property.

The 45-acre luxury hotel recently received over $100 million in upgrades, much of it on display as guests walk through the front door, into the redesigned Atrium II entryway.

The entrance space was redesigned to feature the hotel's Asian design, centered on a themed pavilion called the Jade Tea House. The atrium contains lush indoor plantings, area seating, and a reflecting pool beneath a motor-driven, 27,000-cubic-foot suspended sculpture called ''Nebula,'' which has become a featured attraction for art lovers and hotel guests alike.

MESA, a Dallas-based landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm, worked on the redesign of the Atrium II's landscape, along with new plantings in the exterior entryway. The goal was deceptively simple: create an environment that puts guests at ease, makes them comfortable, and entices them to stay. Pedestrian circulation throughout the atrium was a main consideration when the layout of the reflecting pool and gardens was envisioned.

Inspired by the ''Nebula'' sculpture, MESA placed 20 nozzles in the upper basin to simulate rainstorms. It starts with a sprinkle, builds to a downpour and tapers off as the storm passes.
Photo: Jeff Turner

The garden design was inspired by the priceless Asian art collection, which includes antiques from both East and West and a seven-acre sculpture park inside the hotel. The design team coordinated an assortment of materials during the remodel, including dark wood, slate, and stone, which were juxtaposed with red, amber, and glass accents to highlight the art without distracting from it. The textures and finishes of the different stone and wood surfaces also provide a 'comforting' contrast to the deep green of the plant material, which includes ficus trees and Dracena 'Janet Craig' for ground cover, due to it's ability to grow in low light.

Lanterns were installed throughout the atrium, containing speakers and lights that illuminate Reuben Margolin?EUR??,,????'???s ''Nebula,'' a five-ton, multi-tiered sculpture suspended 50 feet in the air. More than 10 miles of cable, 1,780 pulleys and 4,500 amber crystals reflect in the water basins below.

The atrium's reflecting pools are 160 ft. long and separated by a walkway. Split-face granite covers the pool bed. Lanterns installed throughout the atrium (with speakers atop them) illuminate Reuben Margolin's multitiered ''Nebula,'' a five-ton sculpture suspended 50 feet in the air. It has more than 10 miles of cable, 1,780 pulleys and 4,500 amber crystals that reflect in the water basins. The Jade Tea House sits on the edge of the pool basin.
Photo: King Harrell

The Atrium II's water feature centers on a reflecting pool that complements the gardens and hanging sculpture. It consists of two basins, totaling more than 160 feet, separated by a walkway. A negative edge was designed for the water to flow over and cascade down the sides into a lower basin to create water sounds without using spray nozzles. The stone sides of the pool have a bush hammered finish to augment the water sound, and the top edge is polished to create a smooth, even flow. The reflecting pool is made of polished black granite raised one foot above the atrium floor. The natural stone outcroppings, made from granite cut roughly 12'' square with a split face top, is set in the garden among the new plantings and trees. The negative edge of the reflecting pool was constructed from blue-gray granite to provide contrast. The stone edge has a polished radius, and the lower basin is black beach lava stone. Inspired by the ''Nebula,'' MESA added twenty 'raindrop' nozzles to the upper basin. The nozzles shoot a small stream that creates a raindrop effect when the water lands. A central control system activates the streams at random intervals, to simulate a rainstorm ?EUR??,,????'??? starting slowly, building to a downpour and then tapering off as the storm passes, leading visitors out into the Dallas sunshine.

Hilton Anatole: Atrium II Renovation
Owner: Crow Holdings

Team
ADA Consultant: ECD
Architect: Merriman Assoc.
Engineering
- Civil: O?EUR??,,????'???Donald Engineering
- Geotechnical: Reed Engineering
- MEP: Purdy-McGuire
- Structural: Hunt & Joiner
General Contractor: Andres Construction
Interior Architect: EDG
Landscape Architect: MESA
Lighting: Scott Oldner Lighting Design
Project Manager: Pritchard Associates
Sculpture: Reuben Margolin