Ventilated facade with Dekton surface turns Hilton hotel into a modern architectural icon

The new DoubleTree by Hilton in Hobart, Tasmania is an example of how a facade can do much more than ‘dress up’ a building: it can define its character and enhance the space it occupies. Seamlessly integrated into the surrounding urban development, the hotel is characterised by its ventilated facade, a feature that makes it a modern architectural icon. But this is not just a matter of aesthetics; the design of the facade responds to technical and conceptual challenges that have been addressed by the choice of an unusual material.

For this project, the team chose Dekton, Cosentino’s ultra-compact surface, which was a smart choice to replace the natural sandstone – so characteristic and widely used in Australia – that was originally planned.

Customisation and many technical advantages

According to the designer, the choice of Dekton was motivated by “the technical properties and pattern” of the material, thanks to the many customisation options offered by Dekton ID. Dekton can replicate the look of natural stone without any of its limitations, such as its heavy weight and porosity, which can make sandstone vulnerable to staining, discolouration and degradation over time due to moisture.

In addition, the choice of Dekton was supported by both the customer and the builder, who considered it to be the most practical solution to the architectural challenges of the ventilated facade and to have the best characteristics, among which its high mechanical resistance, extremely low water absorption rate and high resistance to UV rays stand out. Dekton is also a carbon neutral product that comes with a 25-year warranty for facade applications, in line with its commitment to environmental sustainability and facade durability.

A facade that rises to every challenge

The installation of the facade was not without its challenges. “The fixing system and the need for the material to look like sandstone were the biggest challenges,” says the designer. The ventilated facade had to withstand Tasmania’s weather conditions, and Dekton provided the strength and stability required without compromising on aesthetics. In this mechanical fixing solution with hidden undercut anchors, hangers are fixed to the undercut anchors on the back of the panels. These hangers then allow the panel to be easily installed on the horizontal profiles of the ventilated facade substructure. Thanks to this fixing system, the large format cut design looks clean, with well-defined lines and volumes, while the system is strong enough to withstand high wind loads.

Architectural design often struggles with the tension between aesthetics and functionality. In this case, Dekton manages to strike a balance between the two: its ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, combined with its colour stability and texture, makes it the perfect material for a facade exposed to Tasmania’s changing weather conditions.

Project details

Project: DoubleTree by Hilton 

Location: Hobart, Tasmania 

Design: Scanlan Architects, Robert Sorrell

Builder: Hutchison

Fitter: DC-Tech

Material: Dekton | Dekton ID

Application: Ventilated Facade

Quantity: 1,160m²

Colour: Marmorio, Keon, Keranium | Arenisca AU

Thickness: 12mm

Completion: 2023

Photography: The Local Project