Four Seasons Hotel - Orlando, Florida

Retractableawnings.com's original contact was from an Architect at the headquarters for HOK (formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum), an American worldwide Interior Design, Architecture, Engineering and Urban Planning firm and as of 2017 the largest U.S. based Architecture-Engineering firm and the third-largest Interior Design firm. 

HOK requested 4 free standing retractable patio and deck pergola cover systems that would meet local wind load requirements on Disney property which are 115mph when in use and fully extended and 160mph when not in use and not extended. The Architect wanted a contemporary, modern, and very clean aesthetic and a product that would also meet Florida Building Code Requirements. The location is on a lake at the new Four Seasons Hotel, Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida.

The Architect specified 2 sections of two butting, back to back, 10-foot wide by 16-foot projection retractable canopy systems. Therefore, a total of four units. Each of the units uses one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides specified are made entirely of powder coated aluminum using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Frame and guide color chosen by the Architect was RAL 9010 White. The marine grade stainless steel components specified were Inox (470LI and 316) that are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components passed the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric specified was Ferrari Precontraint 502-1499 Shifting Grey, a fabric that is fire retardant. A grey hood was requested for the rear of each unit to prevent rain water, leaves, bird droppings and debris from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. A running profile from end to end in the rear of each section was necessary to attach the specified Somfy RTS motors that are installed inside each motor safety box. The client chose to control the units using one four-button remote control that can operate the units individually or simultaneously. Also requested were 4 Somfy anemometer type RTS wind sensors that will close the fabric patio covers automatically in the event of high wind or a hurricane. 

The purpose of the project was simple - to provide a “retreat” for hotel guests for shade, heat, sun, glare, UV and heavy rain protection, thus the use of Ferrari 502 Precontraint.

What made this project extremely complex was that the units had to be mounted symmetrically on top of separate concrete, side by side girders so the calculations and manufacturing of the units had to be very, very precise with no room for error. Special custom made aluminum “L” brackets for the post base connections had to be designed and installed using Hilti threaded rods with Hilti Ice epoxy to meet the high wind loads required on Florida Disney property. 

The client was ecstatic with the results of all 4 retractable patio cover systems. The lake and swimming pool areas were dramatically transformed. This is truly a stunning example of outstanding design, function and aesthetics as can be seen in the pictures. All client requirements were met, including a contemporary, modern, stylish and very clean appearance along with providing shade, sun, UV, glare, heat and heavy rain protection.