Company:
ShadeFLA Miami, FL

Project Details

Fabric 1

Monotec 370
Producer: Value Vinyls
Supplier: Pro-Knit Industries Pty Ltd (Australia)


Engineer Name 1
Gary D. Foreman

Engineer Company 1
Gary D Foreman PE SE AIA PA

Design Name
Maura Gergerich

Design Company
ShadeFLA

Fabrication Name
Pro-Knit

Subcontractor Name
Margueritte Ramos

Subcontractor Company
ShadeFLA

Project Manager Name
Carlos Herrera

Project Manager Company
ShadeFLA

Installation Name
Alex Sanchez

Installation Company
ShadeFLA


Please describe the project specifications

A premier spot on the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge’s City Dock welcomes thousands of tourists and visitors each year on grand riverboats. The dock is connected to the levee path and also serves as a gateway into Downtown's Central Green and entertainment destinations. We designed and installed 10 interlocking tension sails onto the existing river dock structure to provide much-needed shade and to create a whimsical communal space that protects visitors from the sun's harmful rays.


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

We were hired to create a unique shade solution that protects people as they board the riverboats. The client requested a design using the existing curved steel membrane. The purpose was to provide a shade solution at a popular tourist destination.


What is unique or complex about the project?

The tension sails were designed to enhance an existing structure, a structure that could not be added to, removed or modified. This structure's soaring, curved edges gave the dock it's popular "paper clip" name. Its highest point is 80 feet, with our highest tension sail attachment at 40 feet. Designing a shade solution that effortlessly fused into the unique design of the existing structure was a complex task that our design team took on and executed successfully.


What were the results of the project?

This project has transformed an ordinary dock into a communal space for both residents and visitors who embark on grand riverboats. The beautiful structure along the Mississippi River has allowed the city to host events on the waterfront. Elegantly illuminated at night, this classic white tension sail structure can be seen from the popular Horace Wilkinson Bridge and has become a symbol for the city of Baton Rouge.


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