From outlet mall to entertainment outlet and hub
March 1st, 2024
Changing buying habits over the last couple of decades have spurred shopping centers to evolve as well. Many have been reimagined and reborn, such as the continuing transformation of the former Chesterfield, Mo., outlet mall into The District. The entertainment hot spot is now anchored by restaurants, a brewery, special events space, concert venue, fitness […]
Andrea Lynn on how shade sails have kept her creative
October 1st, 2023
It takes less than a five-minute conversation with Andrea Lynn to appreciate her earnest enthusiasm for shade sails—which is why her reflection on a decades-long career in the industry may come as a surprise. “I jumped into the business with rose-colored glasses on,” she muses. “This journey has been more than worthwhile, but if I […]
Playground shade sails protect patients
August 1st, 2023
Awning Works Inc. replaced one big drooping shade sail with three overlapping ones above the playground and seating area at the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. Photos: Awning Works Inc. Could there be a more feel-good project than one that gives a little bit of joy to children being treated (or having completed treatment) […]
Floating kites soar in Abu Dhabi shade sail structure
June 1st, 2023
The client laid out the request: The concept included off-white, multilayered floating kites with minimal steel structure. The purpose was to provide shade over an existing courtyard in a large mixed-use, low carbon footprint development. Challenges to overcome included how to deal with the existing concrete structure, as the concrete beams and slabs wouldn’t be […]
IFAI Expo: Shade sail dos and don’ts
November 3rd, 2021
Shade sails offer a great business opportunity for fabricators, but it’s important to keep some key “dos and don’ts” in mind. That was the message from Shazeebo owner and founder Patrick Howe during his presentation “Shade Sails Dos and Don’ts—A Deep Dive,” presented at the IFAI Expo in Nashville. There are several considerations for those […]
Shade sails find a place in the sun
August 1st, 2021
It was only a few years ago that Amy Poe, owner of Wyckam Fabric Creations, in Portland, Ore., started hearing about shade sails. Now the company is doing elaborate shade sail projects like this shade cover for the Big Toy Playground at Keizer Rapids Park in Keizer, Ore. Photo: Wyckam Fabric Creations. For something that’s […]
Keeping up the shade market momentum
April 1st, 2021
Incorporating Sattler, Sunbrella and Norbar fabrics, ShadeFLA recently shaded the pool deck at Goodtime Hotel in Miami, Fla., including 17 cabanas, awnings for two bars and coverage for a 1,200-square-foot restaurant. Photo: ShadeFLA. Shade is on everyone’s mind, according to Margueritte Ramos, owner and sales manager of ShadeFLA. The Miami, Fla.-based company designs and installs […]
Matthew Dickerson: Daring to succeed
January 1st, 2021
A 6-by-4-inch yellow paint chip sits in a shadow box on the office wall of Matthew Dickerson, president and CEO of Tenshon, a shade sail manufacturer in Mesa, Ariz. More than a conversation starter, it symbolizes one of the most profound moments—and failures—of Dickerson’s career. Low on funds and barely two years into getting the […]
Shade sail design: How to get it right
November 5th, 2020
During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020’s educational presentation “Shade Sail Design: How to Get It Right,” Timothy Akes, a software expert for MPanel Software Solutions, told participants that design is by far the most important, misunderstood and underestimated aspect of delivering a great and long-lasting shade sail project. “The shade sail shape and how you design […]
Tips for making the right product decisions
November 5th, 2020
A Trivantage-sponsored education session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 called “Making the Right Product Decisions” was filled with detailed information about product choices and installation tips to help fabricators successfully create shade projects in commercial, vertical, shade sail, upholstery and marine applications. The session gave participants an in-depth survey of the company’s shade products and […]