Eckerd College – Tension Sunshades

Awning Works Inc. was asked to develop the components for a tensioned shade system that offered year-round shade to classrooms in the new Center for Molecular and Life Sciences (CMLS) building on the 188-acre campus of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The CMLS building is a 55,000-square foot home for the biology, chemistry and biochemistry departments. It is set up to increase collaboration between departments and provide students and professors with teaching laboratories to eliminate the need for separate classrooms and labs.

Awning Works Inc. was able to design and install a tension shade system for the CMLS building on the Pinellas County campus with the help of Biltmore Construction Inc. The Clearwater-based construction company has been doing work around the state of Florida for over 60 years. Tension shades are designed for longevity, and they resist tearing, fraying, sagging or wearing thin. They are a versatile style of shade that are utilized for both business and individual use.

The flat profile tension shade system combines tensioned vertical and horizontal triangular shades all of which incorporate visual cabling support, open mesh Serge Ferrari fabric and a heavy aluminum support arm structure. Additionally, the project specification required components that require minimal maintenance and offer a long useful life. Sometimes referred to as “shade sails”, the project will be keeping the Tritons’ students learning comfortably in the classroom for many years to come.

This project with Eckerd College was a unique design concept that showcases a tensioned flat profile that both enhances the architectural design of the building and is a highly functional shade system.