38 APRIL 2019 COMMERCIALARCHITECTUREMAGAZINE.COM
event space,” stated T. Jack Bagby, associate
principal with Cooper Carry. “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 closed, it doesn’t detract from the
overall aesthetic.”
The awning complements the space and
the overall hotel design, which is elegant
and fluid, echoing the nearby cosmopolitan
area and neighboring structure, and nod-
ding to the sweeping form of [neighboring]
Romare Bearden Park. “We worked with
The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry to cre-
ate a warm and inviting space that focused
on the incredible surrounding views,”
Bagby added.
The En-Fold stadium-grade retractable
awnings are available in a wide range of sizes
and configurations to achieve a specific aes-
thetic and to accommodate various site con-
ditions and sizes. Its versatility means that it
can be retrofitted or sequenced with new
construction into virtually any outdoor
open space. The system can be designed
with extensions to 100 ft. and nearly unlim-
ited widths.
In terms of operation, the awnings are
deployed and retracted quietly at the push
of a button that activates 3/4-hp drive
motors that are securely fastened to the sys-
tem’s high-strength aluminum drive beams.
The sensor-based and synchronized drive
system applies a precise level of biaxial pre-
tension to the fabric membrane to ensure
that deployment is smooth and seamless.
The system offers unimpeded views to the
sky, when retracted, thanks to its wide drive-
beam configuration.
The En-Fold canopy at the Kimpton has
an extension of 26 ft. 9 in. and is 63-ft. wide.
The four aluminum drive beams are
attached to the wall at one end and dramat-ically cantilever 6 ft. beyond the 66-ft.-long
transfer beam from which they hang on the
opposite side. Seven aluminum extrusions
support the Sefar Architecture Tenara 4T40
fabric that provides weather protection.
The major components of the system
were delivered to the site while the tower
crane was still in place, then protected and
stored on the rooftop for slightly more than
a year until construction of the surrounding
areas could be completed. Due to the fact
that awning was to be installed on a windy,
19th-floor site, it had to be delivered before
the crane was removed. Coordination and
schedule sequencing from all parties made
this possible.
When construction reached a point that
installation was possible, installers from
Southeastern Architectural Systems, Char-
lotte, set the drive beams and other major
components into place. Six months later,
construction on the building was far enough
along that a Uni-Systems technician was
able to return to the site and oversee the
completion of the project. “The Uni-Sys-
tems team ensured everything went smooth-
ly from design through installation,” stated
Bagby.
The awning system is the result of the
company’s 40+ years of experience design-
ing, engineering, and integrating innovative
large-scale kinetic structures. Uni-Systems
has designed, fabricated, and installed the
mechanization components for several
retractable stadium roofs, including Reliant
Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Univ. of Phoe-
nix Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Cowboys
Stadium, and Marlins Ballpark.
This expertise made possible the smaller,
lightweight, high-performance, and adapt-
able En-Fold system which as been used at
several upscale restaurants, shopping malls,
hotels, resorts, and entertainment and event
venues. CAPROJECT|windows & doors
- Cooper Carry architects, coopercarry.com
- Southeastern Architectural Systems, seas-tr.com
- Balfour Beatty Construction, balfourbeattyus.com
- Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, ihg.com/kimptonhotels
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commercialarchitecturmagazine.com/1904unisystems.Above. When the weather is clear, the awning retracts and disappears, allowing patrons to enjoy the
open-air space.Below. The canopy has an extension of 26 ft. 9 in. and is 63-ft. wide. It uses Sefar Architecture Tenara
4T40 fabric to provide weather protection.