Stunning Sights at Ka’anapali Beach Club Complemented by Three Birdair Canopies

Guests at Ka’anapali Beach Club, located on Maui’s famous North Shore town of Lahaina, have always had it good, with a relaxing lagoon style pool, outdoor hospitality, tropical gardens and waterfalls. But with all the sunshine comes heat—sometimes more than desired. But now, three new lightweight Birdair canopies provide relief to guests and staff at this exotic resort.

Previously, the hotel’s three central atriums had been covered by space frame structures. The new cross-arched PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) fiberglass membrane structures provide much-needed protection to approximately 21,000 square feet of daylight area—which includes garden space and lounge areas—while still maintaining the resort’s natural, idyllic atmosphere.

The new additions include a center canopy (approximately 4,900 square feet), a mountain canopy (approximately 4,500 square feet) and a Sea Canopy (approximately 11,550 square feet).

“We couldn’t be more pleased with this beautiful, new addition,” said Tom Connell, Business Development Manager for Birdair, Inc. “Not only does it perform beautifully, but it fits right in with Ka’anapali Beach Club’s exceptional aesthetic and service.”

PTFE: A New Shade of Comfort

Working with Layton Construction to complete the project efficiently and produce a high quality end product, Birdair managed the design, fabrication, supply and installation of the PTFE membrane, cables, clamping and structural supporting steel. The new canopies not only complement the resort’s signature look, but also provide patrons and employees with much needed protection from the sunny, hot and humid Hawaii climate.

Birdair, the leading specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures around the world, was selected for this project due to its expertise in innovative and beautiful PTFE fiberglass membrane architectural structures. PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a Teflon^®-coated woven fiberglass membrane that is extremely durable and weather resistant.

Climate-Compliant

Birdair’s PTFE fiberglass membranes can have product lifespans in excess of 30 years and can be installed in a wide range of climates, from frigid cold to desert heat to the hot and humid Hawaiian climate. It is also completely immune to dangerous UV radiation. This unique combination of inertness, thermal stability and surface properties make Birdair’s PTFE-coated fabric membrane ideal for projects requiring superior weather and fire resistance.

A Signature Sight to Remember

Tensioned fabric structures provide unparalleled attractiveness and function in the commercial building products industry. By creating a comfortable and vibrant environment for visitors, Birdair’s solutions can transform an already well-regarded vacation destination into an iconic destination that is recognizable at a glance.

Providing a Sustainable Solution

Birdair’s fabric structures ensure that environmental responsibility doesn’t come at the expense of economic competitiveness. Because PTFE fiberglass membrane fabric requires less structural steel to support a roof or façade, long spans of column-free space open up—creating a spacious and cost–effective solution. In addition, membrane offers building owners reduced construction and maintenance costs compared to traditional building materials.

It also adds to energy cost savings as well.  PTFE fiberglass is Energy Star and Cool Roof Rating Council certified. During scientific tests of its solar properties, it was discovered that PTFE fiberglass membranes reflect as much as 73 percent of the sun’s energy while holding just 7 percent on its exterior surface. Certain grades of PTFE fiberglass can absorb 14 percent of the sun’s energy while allowing 13 percent of natural daylight and 7 percent of re-radiated energy (solar heat) to transmit through.

Teflon® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Delaware.