Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park’s Aquatic Complex, Naples, Fla.

by Rosa Soto | 15 February 2022 12:00 am

Sunshades were needed at the Aquatic Complex at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park. Collier County Parks and Recreation Department’s requirements for the project were that the materials be durable and resistant to corrosion, weather and vandalism in the swimming pool environment. The sunshades would not need maintenance and be low cost. Fabric umbrellas, shade sails and landscaping did not meet the durability requirement. The solution? Metal sunshades.

Corrosion-resistant metals were used to achieve the durability and long-term value not found with less costly materials which would need to be repaired, maintained and replaced often. Stainless steel and aluminum materials were specified for durability in a harsh environment, low maintenance and sustainability.

Victor J. Latavish, AIA, a local architect, designed sunshades with structures constructed with stainless steel columns and bolts, powdercoated aluminum tube frames, prefinished, aluminum-faced, insulated roof deck and prefinished standing seam roof panels. In terms of the sunshades’ form, the rigid shade canopies are supported by aluminum struts, which recollect limbs of a tree. Trunk-like columns are designed to withstand hurricane force winds.

The sunshades provide a shadow slightly larger than the shadow of a native Sabal Palm tree, the state tree. The sunshades, 28 in all, are arranged in rows around pools, reminiscent of orchards throughout the region. To build them, Fusion Metalworks fabricated, welded and assembled type 316 stainless steel columns and bolts, powder-coated aluminum tube frames, prefinished, aluminum-faced, insulated roof decking and standing seam, aluminum roof panels. About 3,400 square feet of roof panels were used.

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/donna-fiala-eagle-lakes-community-parks-aquatic-complex-naples-fla/

---