Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021 - 47

the task of solving the protection
function of the canopy in an aesthetic
way, resulting in the set of stelae in the
shape of giant leaves, says Vargas.
One of the challenges of the project
was to achieve harmony between the
existing foliage and the proposed
roofs, since the intention was to
reflect them as an extension of the
same environment without losing the
original concept, a challenge that was
achieved because of the experience of
all collaborators.
The project includes 1,908
square meters of VALMEX® FR 900
MEHATOP® N type architectural
membrane from Mehler Texnologies®️
(Freudenberg Performance Materials),
along with A500 steel with a SherwinWilliams® paint finish. Project
partners of note included Gobierno,
Organización y Desarrollo S.A. de C.V.
Vargas says she is satisfied with
the work of her entire team. " For me,
more than designing and proposing is
inhabiting spaces and imagining how
they will look in the real life, " she says.
" It is very satisfying to materialize what
I imagine. "

according to Cummins. The client also
wanted the canopy to flow seamlessly
around the corner rather than having
it in two separate sections, which
would have made it look like an
add-on. Two entry and exit points
that would be quick and easy to use
were also required.
" Making the canopy into a
continuous flow around the corner
was the most complicated part of the
project, " explains Cummins. " Getting
the angle correct as well as ensuring
weather tightness of the cover was
very important or it would not have
worked. The angle detail was drawn in
CAD and fabricated with precision in
our workshop. It fit perfectly on-site
and everything worked out as planned
in less than the time allowed for. "
For fabric, Fresco chose Serge
Ferrari 502S White, supplied by QCD
Ltd., for its ability to block UV rays and
most heat and glare in the summer.
" The client was very happy with the
finished product and we returned to

For me, more
than designing
and proposing is
inhabiting spaces
and imagining how
they will look in
the real life.
Miriam Vargas
Ketan Membranas
Arquitectónicas

New Zealand: Problem solving
When a New Zealand musician
wanted to cover his new deck to
create a sheltered area to entertain
guests, he turned to Fresco Shades
NZ Ltd., but not because the company
was the low bidder.
" He was very particular about the
design, " says Megan Cummins, one of
Fresco's founders. " He chose us over
others despite the fact that we were
[thousands of dollars] more expensive,
due to our understanding of his needs,
great customer service and ability to
translate his dream space into reality. "
The project called for a modern,
practical canopy to cover two sides of
the house, which was totally enclosed,

0121RV_p42_49_Columns.indd 47

 A New Zealand musician selected Fresco Shades NZ to design a cover for his new deck to
create a sheltered area to entertain guests. The client wanted the canopy to flow seamlessly
around the corner rather than using two separate sections. Photo: Fresco Shades NZ Ltd.

12/17/20 10:49 PM

Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021