Project Background

Concourse D is the newest wing at Nashville International Airport and will continue to expand through construction activities that will be complete in 2025. The extension will add up to 6 new gates to the existing concourse and will be home to local eateries and retail establishments. Hensel Phelps | Fentress, a progressive design-build team, were selected by MNAA to lead the Concourse D project. The Concourse D Extension project is part of a larger expansion project known as New Horizon.

The Circular Node will be in the Concourse D Extension phase of the New Horizon project. The terrazzo floor art is a circular floor space in the middle of a round area that is to be designed by the designated artist. This art location is entered from a central axis and surrounded by hold room seating with carpeted flooring. In the center of the node is a concessions space to be designed by the future tenant. The entire space is topped off by a 32-foot-high circular wood-look ceiling with a radial designed lighting feature embedded in it and supported by 8 stainless steel metal columns. On the ceiling is a circular clerestory that pops up and aligns with the interior of the art circle on the floor below. The edge of this circular node space gives close to 360-degree views of parked aircraft, the BNA airfield and surrounding scenery, only to be interrupted with access to an open air exterior public terrace.

The Terrazzo Floor Requirements

Terrazzo will be 3/8” epoxy resin terrazzo. There will be a maximum color restriction between 7-9 colors. It is important the artist understands this medium, the colors it can achieve, how it is installed and how colors can be controlled. Colors can be achieved utilizing many types of aggregates (stone, metal, shells, glass, mirror, etc.) and epoxy resins. You cannot fade colors. Colors are controlled by areas contained within metal (zinc/aluminum) strips. The metal strips can vary in thickness depending on what the artist is trying to achieve. Metals can also be part of the art itself by using metal numbers, shapes, etc.

Interior Finishes

See the linked BNA New Horizon Interior Concept Design for a complete explanation of the finishes and colors for the Circular Node. (Link)

Art Scope and Goals

This is an opportunity for artist-teams to create terrazzo floor designs for the Node located at the end point of the Concourse D Extension. The artwork will be accessible to all BNA guests passing, boarding or awaiting flights in D Concourse (post-security), allowing BNA passengers, employees and guests the opportunity to enjoy the artwork. The art zone is an outer circular ring that measures 20’-0” in width, 96’-0” in diameter from one edge to the other, and 4778 SF in area.

Images and information about the project can be found: here

The primary goals of the project are to:

• Create a visually stimulating design that will be impactful, iconic and memorable for passengers and employees of BNA.

• Express inspiration from regional features such as Nashville, Middle Tennessee, BNA, and Aviation through design, form and materials.

• Design artwork that will create a landmark or gateway for our travelers’ journey.

• Design specifically for the airport environment, honor existing architectural factors and the general character of BNA. Be proportional to the scale and volume of the space.

• Enhance the existing Arts at the Airport public art collection.

Project Budget

The project design budget is $75,000 for the Circular Node. The budget fully includes artist design fees, travel costs, permits, insurance and transportation. The selected design will be implemented by a Terrazzo Floor Company selected by BNA. The artist is expected to work with the Terrazzo Floor Company to oversee the fabrication and installation of the designed medallions. Artists should expect several site visits to BNA.

The selected artists or artist-teams will be issued a Proposal/Design Phase Contract and begin collaborating with the Terrazzo Floor Company and Arts at the Airport. The final design will be approved by the Arts at the Airport Selection Committee and the MNAA Board of Commissioners.

Application Requirements

Submissions must be received through CaFÉ no later than 11:59 pm MST on 
February 1, 2024.

 Required Application Materials

• Statement of interest (one page)

• Current resume (two pages)

• Images/samples of past work (three) with descriptions

• Images of proposed design for the terrazzo floor (four)

• References (three)

1. Statement of Interest

At minimum statement should:

a. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the project scope;

b. Describe a recent experience collaborating with architects and other design professionals on projects of this scale and size, especially regarding public art;

c. Schedule and availability to accomplish this project; and

d. Prior terrazzo art experience (if applicable)

2. Current Resume

3. Image Descriptions

Where applicable, include the commissioning agency, budget, completion date and project manager/client. With images that require clarification, provide a brief description (no more than two to three sentences) for each.

4. Design Images

Attach four proposed designs for the circular node. Create bold, eye-catching designs that will leave a lasting impression on BNA passengers and employees. Use your knowledge and love for Tennessee and the BNA environment to drive your creativity.

5. References

Please provide the names, addresses, current telephone numbers and email addresses for three professionals to reference your past work and qualifications. Artists’ teams should provide separate references for each member.

The Selection Panel reserves the right to reject incomplete applications or responses.

Construction Support Documents

The following additional materials can be found here:

•        Terrazzo Masterplan Concept

•        Art Medallion at A/B Node

•        Art Medallion at C/D Node

Eligibility Criteria

Artist Eligibility

This call is open to artists and artist-teams living in Tennessee. Applicants must have successfully completed at least one art commission (public or private) within the past five years. It is preferred for artists to have direct experience with a terrazzo floor design/installation, but not mandatory. Artists must provide evidence of prior public or private art commissions with documentation in their resumes, photographs, and references. Artists must meet the above criteria to apply. Current MNAA employees, commissioners, and Arts at the Airport Board members may not apply.

Selection Criteria Process

The Arts at the Airport Selection Committee, consisting of Arts at the Airport Board of Directors, staff, a MNAA design representative and professional artists from the community, will evaluate each artist’s or artist-team’s qualifications, statement of interest and artist’s/team’s past work. Artist’s proposals for design of the Circular Node will be reviewed and selection will weigh heavily on this design.

 Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Strength of design for the Circular Node;

• Professional qualifications and preferred prior experience in terrazzo floor design;

• Experience with projects of this scale, setting and complexity or resources available for completing the project;

• Quality, creativity, and strength of work submitted; and

• Appropriateness of previous work to scope of this project.

The panel will review artists’ materials using the online CaFÉ platform: www.callforentry.org.