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PROJECT
| windows & doors
Awning Shields 19th Floor Event Space A retractable awning, installed on the Kimpton boutique hotel in Charlotte, NC, allows year-round use of outdoor space.
C
harlotte, NC’s, first boutique hotel by Kimpton Hotels
horizon. Thanks to the stunning views, the space is casually referred
& Restaurants, San Francisco, is the Kimpton Tryon Park
to as “Charlotte’s front porch.” It was also important to maximize
Hotel. It features an outdoor event space at the building’s
these views and specify and install a system that allowed the setting to
rooftop. The building team, consisting of general contractor, Balfour
speak for itself.
Beatty Construction, Dallas; installer, Southeastern Architectural
The team determined that an En-Fold stadium-grade retract-
Systems, Charlotte; and architect, Cooper Carry, Atlanta, requested
able-awning system would be the best solution. The pre-engineered,
a retractable canopy that would protect patrons from sun and rain
fully automated, retractable fabric system is manufactured by Uni-
and withstand the high winds that swirl around the 20-story tower.
Systems LLC, Minneapolis.
The rooftop lawn, on the 19th floor, is frequently used for weddings
The system installed at the hotel is on a smaller scale than major
and other celebratory gatherings, and it was imperative that the space
stadiums and event spaces and was designed to cover more than 1,500
feature an architecturally pleasing canopy that would ensure contin-
sq. ft. of outdoor space at the rooftop level when deployed. Due to its
ued use of the venue, regardless of the weather.
strength and engineering, the awning can remain open in winds as
The event lawn is closed on three sides by a rooftop-restaurant structure and is open to a glass railing on the fourth side, presenting a spectacular view of a nearby park, baseball stadium, and the Western
The retractable En-Fold awning withstands wind and weather on Charlotte’s front porch.
high as 90 mph and handle snow loads as high as 30 psf, allowing it to meet the weather-resistance requirements. “En-Fold provided a unique, high-design solution for the rooftop COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T UREM AG A ZINE.COM
APRIL 2019
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