Case studies
Photos © Suki Finnerty
As an example, Juvia, a high-end restaurant on Miami Beach, incorporated an aesthetically advanced and highly engineered retractable awning system to span 17 m (54 ft) of its outdoor terrace. The awning also assures patrons enjoy consistent comfort and stunning views of Miami Beach even during inclement weather. The awning can withstand 81 km/h (50 mph) winds when fully tensioned. It also features a slight incline to shed rain away from the terrace and to prevent the pooling of rainwater on the fabric panels. When the awning is open, the fabric panels are retracted fully out of view from the patrons below. The system provides Juvia with the flexibility of an outdoor space with the ability to protect against the elements if needed.
“I think one of the great strengths of fabric is that it folds or packs down very small,” says Goldsmith. “There have been a lot of systems with more rigid materials, but they are fairly large and bulky. If you want something with a minimal footprint, fabric is the ideal solution.”
A retractable awning system developed with enhanced aesthetics and engineering capabilities was also incorporated into the 139-m2 (1500-sf) rooftop garden at Charlotte’s Kimpton Tryon Park hotel, North Carolina.
“When deployed, the system is able to shade the space during the hottest portion of the day and it provides some insurance and security for events against mild inclement weather. When retracted, it does not detract from the overall aesthetic,” says T. Jack Bagby, associate principal with Cooper Carry, the architecture firm responsible for the hotel design.
The rooftop lawn is situated on the 19th floor of the hotel and is a popular venue for weddings and large events. The system complements both the space and the overall hotel design. The canopy itself has an extension of 8 m (26 ft) x 229 mm (9 in.) and is 19 m (63 ft) wide. The four 8 m x 229-mm aluminum drive beams are attached to the wall at one end and cantilever 2 m (6 ft) beyond the 20-m (66-ft) long transfer beam from which they hang on the opposite side. Seven aluminum extrusions support the fabric and provide protection from the sun, wind, and rain when fully extended.
The demands of the hospitality industry often call for wide-open, column-free spaces to maximize versatility and a top retractable awning system can be engineered to meet the challenge with clear spans over 12 m (40 ft).
“The biggest things setting apart a retractable awning system developed by experienced engineers are the elegance and the ability to design and build for big open spaces to keep columns out of the way,” says Joe Lane, principal, GLR Engineers. “The advanced engineering seen in awnings of this caliber is driven into the mechanics, the tension of the fabric, and the analysis to fully understand how the system performs, stress loads, and the aluminum beams supporting it. Additionally, the drive beams and motors and connections are ‘dialed in’ better than any other retractable roof with this type of awning.”
Conclusion
The notion of how a roofing system can be defined, utilized, and incorporated into a structure has been disrupted with the development of a highly engineered retractable awning system. Such a system is the result of deep engineering expertise, the desire to innovate and problem-solve, and a need in the market for a protective covering system combining the attributes of permanent roofing solutions with standard, commercially available retractable awning systems. Only time will tell if tensile structures, such as this, will pave the way for more innovative roofing systems, but in the meantime, they represent the evolution of design, kinetic architecture, and the possibilities for outdoor space.
Peter Fervoy is the vice-president of Uni-Systems. Fervoy’s background in architecture and industrial product design is critical to the development of creative solutions for conceptual designs. Fervoy and his team generate drawings and renderings of project-specific applications of the Uni-Systems’ products to help clients understand the functioning of kinetic elements. He is also instrumental in shaping the Uni-Systems brand identity and is the company’s leading advocate of kinetic architecture.
Review has a lot of technical information, great, but to be thorough some price points would be helpful.
A good quality retractable awning like a Sunesta awning starts at $3,400 for a 18×10’p with motor up to $7,000 for a large 21’x14’8″ with motor. Some distributors discoint. Some states like mine exempt state sales tax on awnings. I’m in Tennessee. My company is Awnings Direct and gave sold retractables since 98. I’m the owner. Any questions I can help. Call or text me at 865-470-4139…