KRABI PROPERTY FOCUS - Krabi Real Estate and Property MAGAZINE

In a tropical climate, protection against the sun and the rain is one of the architects greatest challenges. One solution being offered by Phuket business Shades, takes advantage of marine sail technology.

“We recently made a conscious decision to adapt our experience, skills and knowledge of marine weather protection products to offer stylish and durable sun shades for resorts, homes and outdoor recreation areas” says company founder Chuck Graeme.
The designs are stunning and practical and although they look simple they are in fact incredibly complex. The stresses and strains that such structures experience mean thousands of calculations even for the simplest design.
“We already had an expert designer on our team and we invested 250,000 baht in design software that enables us to quickly draw up plans for customers based on the area that needs covering.” Continues Mr Chuck.

The software means that they can calculate exactly how much weight is needed to secure the awnings and whether the existing structure will be able to provide the support or if additional steel support poles need to be included in the design. It also means that they can quickly show the customer exactly how the structure will look and how it will perform its function at different times of the day.

Sizes can range in size from 3 metres to 300 metres making them suitable for small scale private homes but also for large public areas. With new materials available to them, longevity is not an issue and structures are just as permanent as conventional roofing structures and properly installed will cope with the severest weather conditions. But its not just about practicality, the voluptuous shapes that can be created can really make a home or commercial building stand out making them ideal for outdoor entertainment venues and restaurants where the owner wants to make something different.

The company has been busy with awnings designed and installed at Phuket Pavillions, Twin Palms and Holiday Inn as well as a 300 square metre awning providing shade for the elephants at Phuket zoo.