Company:
SHADE Industries Inc. Phoenix, AZ

Project Details

Fabric 1

Alnet Extrablock
Producer: Alnet Pty Ltd.


Engineer Name 1
Nick Keizer

Engineer Company 1
RNK Structural Engineering

Design Name
Josh Henderson

Design Company
SHADE Industries

Project Manager Company
SHADE Industries

Installation Company
SHADE Industries


Please describe the project specifications

This 5-column cantilevered canopy measures approximately 71 feet long by 14 feet wide and has a 9 foot minimum clearance.


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

The intense desert southwest sun can take its toll on anyone living in this hot, arid climate. Our client, a popular chain-based restaurant, desired to create a cooler environment for both the patrons utilizing the drive-through lane, but primarily employees whose job duties included standing outside and taking orders.


What is unique or complex about the project?

The most challenging aspect about this project was to meet the client’s abbreviated construction timeline while not disrupting business during operating hours. In order to accomplish this, the entire project was designed in a 3D modeling software and each aspect of the project was manufactured and/or installed per measurements from the computer. After footers were installed, laser measurements were taken to precisely place the columns in the model as they were installed in reality. The columns and cantilevered arms were fabricated exactly per plans, and the fabric top was manufactured per computer measurements. As to not disrupt daily business, we were only allowed on site from 10pm to 6am nightly, or on Sundays when the business is closed. After meticulous planning, from digging the footers to hanging the shade fabric, the entire install took ten days.


What were the results of the project?

The corporate office of this business has since contracted us on two more local restaurants, with the possibility of retrofitting drive-through shade structures at many other restaurants across the desert southwest and nation-wide! Employees who stand at the drive-through lane and take lunch orders are able to work in a cooler and more comfortable environment, while the customers are able to order their chicken lunches without the sun blaring in their eyes.


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