2019 Archive : Duck Bills

Project Details

Fabric 1

Poly-Tex
Producer: Polyfab USA
Supplier: Trivantage LLC

Design Name
Chandler Clark

Design Company
Signature CanvasMakers

Fabrication Name
Charlene Clark

Fabrication Company
Signature CanvasMakers

Subcontractor Name
Matt Locey

Subcontractor Company
Chesapeake Bay Custom Fabrication

Project Manager Name
Chandler Clark

Project Manager Company
Signature CanvasMakers

Installation Name
Chandler Clark

Installation Company
Signature CanvasMakers

Please describe the project specifications

We were asked to design and create custom shade sails for a newly opened restaurant called "Decoys". The owner wanted something unique, complimentary and functional. We had completed several smaller projects for this marina restaurant including a swim up pool bar bimini and tiki bar cover.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

We were allowed creative license and took full advantage. Since it needed not only to provide shade, but be exceptionally strong, as the area around the marina is a "wind funnel". We came up with a combination tensioned shade sail with a forward "bimini style" lace on pocket to extend the shade coverage as far as possible and add to the "Duck bill" appearance. We worked with a local metal fabricator to bring the vision to reality, using 1-1/4 polished, anodized aluminum pipe. Once the frame structures were in place we designed tensioned shade sails using Rust colored Poly-Tex fabric that would maximize sun protection and create the illusion through color and frame design of a duck bill.

What is unique or complex about the project?

As this was a new restaurant, there was no existing frame work in place. We needed to design frame work that was both structurally sound and that fit aesthetically with the theme and appearance of the restaurant. We worked closely with a metal fabricator to not only design the frame work but also to create mounting points that would sustain heavy windage. Due to the size of the frames, we had to deliver them one at a time on a flat-bed trailer that we had outfitted with a custom jig to hold them in place as they were transported.

What were the results of the project?

The results were classy, beautiful and effective and accomplished our goal of bringing giant duck bills to the building! We have been contracted for additional work at the restaurant and marina as result of the quality of projects that we have delivered thus far.

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