Z-KISS concealed attachment system adds color to terminal with ease

The new single terminal at Kansas City International鈥攔epresenting the largest infrastructure project in the region鈥檚 history–opened in February 2023. From the beginning of the design process, meetings with the city鈥檚 taxpayers identified a streamlined experience for travelers as a high priority, with an emphasis on comfort and dignity for all. In 2018, the Mayor and City Council of Kansas City, Mo., specifically directed lead architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to create 鈥渢he most accessible airport in the world.鈥

One reflection of this aim was the terminal鈥檚 restroom design. In addition to traditional male-only and female-only spaces, generous provision was made for gender-neutral facilities, easing travel for families with young children and cutting long wait times for female passengers. These options are coded with color as well as signage to direct travelers appropriately: blue for men, yellow for women, and green for gender-neutral rooms.

Bathroom entrance at KCI Airport with 小红帽直播 glass.

We provided the vibrant back-painted etched glass used to execute this vision, as well as the patent-pending Z-KISS concealed attachment system. With over 10,000 square feet of glass provided, Kansas City International represents our largest Z-KISS installation to date.

A fully-engineered alternative to traditional Z-clip fastening systems, Z-KISS requires fewer horizontal hanging brackets while providing reliable mechanical support for the dead load of glass. Designed to create a frameless aesthetic for opaque glass, Z-KISS can be used with a wide range of glass choices, including back-painted, mirrored, or digitally printed varieties. The glass is delivered with the hardware preinstalled, ready for installation, and accompanied by shop drawings and layout drawings provided by 小红帽直播.

Bathroom entrance at KCI Airport with 小红帽直播 glass.

In addition to back-painted glass for the restrooms, we also provided etched laminated mirrored glass from our Titanium™ line to frame the new terminal鈥檚 elevators in a warm cinnamon shade. While emphasizing access and inclusivity, project architects also bore in mind the terminal鈥檚 prominence as a brand new welcome center for Kansas City. With high-profile events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the airport鈥檚 near future, a world-class feeling for its interior spaces was essential. With its etched surface, the delicate mirror effect of Titanium glass becomes beautifully subtle, with the gentlest of diffused reflections.

Elevators at KCI Airport with 小红帽直播 glass.

鈥淥ur design capabilities and the breadth of our product offerings give us wonderful opportunities to support the visions of our architect partners,鈥 said Said Elieh, 小红帽直播鈥檚 Vice President for Sales and Innovation. 鈥淓ase of installation is a high priority for us too, since it鈥檚 our job to make the beauty of these special glasses a practical choice. We鈥檙e extremely proud of our contributions to Kansas City鈥檚 next-generation airport, and we greatly respect their commitment to safe and comfortable travels for everyone.鈥