Shade Structure Guide Book
01 02 03
The Shade Structure Story
Create Your Own
Appendix
01 The Shade Structure Story
Whole Foods Market currently uses the equivalent of 33.6 football fields of material annually on vinyl signage. This unsustainable practice is one of the only practices that violates the company’s Green Mission. In Spring 2013, Whole Foods Market engaged the Center for Social Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) to research the problem and identify innovative solutions. Designers immersed themselves in the company’s mission, values and branding over 16 weeks. They participated in a design charrette with the Mid-Atlantic marketing team, spent multiple hours with Baltimore store managers, and were able to attend the opening of the newest store in the Mid-Atlantic region in Columbus, Ohio.
For individual Whole Foods Market stores and local non-profits interested in installing their own shade structure, this guide book contains structural drawings, tips, and vendor recommendations.
Pilot Project Partners
For Profit
Non Profit
Whole Foods Market
Neighborhood Design Center
Non Profit
University
The design team’s final recommendation was to re-use vinyl in the form of shade structures for urban public spaces (play areas, gardens, urban farms, parks, schools). As a pilot for the rest of the region, Whole Foods Market, MICA, the Neighborhood Design Center, and Exeter Gardens partnered to design, build, and install a test structure.
Exeter Gardens
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Center for Social Design
02 Create Your Own
So you want to make your own? Here’s how to work with local fabricators to re-purpose Whole Foods Market vinyl signage into a durable, aesthetically pleasing and functional shade structure. RESPONSIBILITIES AT-A-GLANCE: Sample Timeline
Whole Foods Market: • raise money • provide raw materials • oversee & partner on fabrication & installation Community Partner: • • • • • •
receive the shade structure sign a hold harmless agreement secure permit organize community install day provide space maintain and take ownership of the structure
Planning Permit Fabrication Site Prep Install (with fabricator) Community “stringing”
2 weeks 1 month 1 month 1 day 2 weeks 1 day 4 months total
Project Checklist
PLANNING ∏∏ Secure funding TIP: We recommend $5,000 - $6,000 for fabrication and permit costs.
∏∏ Have all parties involved sign a hold harmless agreement TIP: The hold harmless agreements necessary for a donation like this can be daunting to a host site. Hold a meeting where the WFM representative, host site, fabricator, and if applicable, structural engineer, can all gather to discuss liability and how it applies in different situations.
∏∏ Identify a fabricator ∏∏ Select a 10 x 12 ft location for the structure TIP: Think about how you will orient the sunshade on your site. To achieve maximum summer shade, orient the open ends facing North and South. However, the open ends frame a view, and it may be more important for your sunshade to frame a specific view on your site.
∏∏ Collect vinyl banners (35-40 banners needed per shade structure) TIP: Banner material should be approximately 3’ x 8’ and must be no smaller then 32 1/2” x 80”
∏∏ Contract with a professional of record (optional) TIP: Having a state-licensed professional sign off on the design can help provide additional assurance and professional liability protection. Depending on local circumstances, it may also be required by permitting authorities. In our case we had a structural engineer, but an architect could also be a qualified professional of record.
PERMIT ∏∏ Submit drawings and site plan for permit (if needed) TIP: Check your local code requirements to see if a permit is required to construct a post-supported sunshade in your area. We recommend that the host site take responsibility, as the property owner, for securing any needed permits.
FABRICATION ∏∏ Have fabricator begins construction ∏∏ Coordinate install schedule with fabricator TIP: Installation day is best coordinated by your fabricator. You won’t want too many people on site as large pieces are moved into place as they may get bored or in the way.
∏∏ Order vinyl leaves (600 leaves is recommended) TIP: The shingles are designed to self-attach to the cables on the structure. With time, some shingles may become detached or otherwise lost. Make sure your host site holds on to extra shingles for replacement. The shingles are small and store easily. See next page for vinyl vendor contact information.
SITE PREP ∏∏ Pour concrete for footings at site (if needed) TIP: The pilot site had an existing concrete slab that was several inches thick covered by approximately 2” of gravel. This allowed us to bolt the structure directly to the slab and avoid footings. Sites without a slab need concrete footings to which the structure can be bolted.
INSTALL (WITH FABRICATOR) ∏∏ Install structure TIP: The sunshade is not designed to be playground equipment or climbed on. Make sure your host site understands this and knows not to permit grabbing or hanging on any part of the structure, including the cables.
COMMUNITY STRINGING DAY ∏∏ Recruit volunteers TIP: The pieces comprising the structure are very heavy and can be difficult to move/assemble. Allow at least two weeks between your planned “structure install” day and your “stringing” day for extra installation time.
∏∏ Notify local media
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the structure ok in wind and snow? The structure is designed to support the cables in tension and the series of shingles in order to accept wind and snow loads.
Why is it a 4-post structure?
What vendors do you recommend? FABRICATOR: We used Spacecraft for the structure, but we recommend that you research and identify a local fabricator. Spacecraft 6144 Chinquapin Pkwy Baltimore, MD 21239 443.286.5454 spacecraft-db.com VINYL: For the vinyl leaves, we recommend that you use Orlando Products, as they have a custom die made for the vinyl shingles. Orlando Products 2639 Merchant Dr. Baltimore, MD 21230 orlandoproductsinc.com
A 4-post structure is inherently the most stable, and allows for more efficiently sized posts and beams, while still creating a large shaded area. The metal pipes help to counteract the compressive force of the cable tension while the wood beams counteract the bending force of the cable tension.
How do the shingles work? The shingles are designed to be self-attaching and efficient uses of the recycled vinyl signage. By creating a patchwork of various banners, the Whole Foods Market advertisements are morphed into a compelling graphic collage. The consistent typographies and colors the sunshade provide a subtle reminder of the Whole Foods Market brand, without being overbearing.
Sample Budget
Why are the wood beams so large? The wood beams are larger to accommodated the bending forces on them. Their size also helps create a design statement and defines both a view and an axis within the structure.
Vinyl Cutting Fabrication Permit Professional Services
$350 $5,000 varies $1,000 $6,350
Community Stringing Day at Exeter Gardens
TIP A small scaffold allows more people to help during the stringing day, and can be easy to set up and move around the sunshade.
03 Appendix
Sample Structural Drawings and Specifications (for reference only)
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Special thanks to the following people for helping to make the shade structure happen: Amanda Allen Ryan Clifford Jared Earley Jonathan Erwin Jen Goold Ryan Hoover Briony Hynson Gwynne Keathley Daniel Khang
Chris Lavoie Anne Lee Vincent Purcell Becky Slogeris Kelly Stegman Rachel Ventura Mike Weikert Laura Wheaton