flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Hawaiian architecture firm chooses FRP trellis system over traditional materials

Hawaiian architecture firm chooses FRP trellis system over traditional materials

MGA Architecture plans to add five more trellis systems on the neighboring building. 


By By BD+C Staff | March 22, 2012
Strongwells products were used by Plas-Tech Ltd., a Hawaiian fabricator, for an
Strongwells products were used by Plas-Tech Ltd., a Hawaiian fabricator, for an architectural trellis overlooking Waikiki, Hono

Strongwell’s products were used by Plas-Tech Ltd., a Honolulu, Hawaii fabricator, for an architectural trellis overlooking Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. The trellis sits on top of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza located at the center of the city on world-famous Kalakaua Avenue. The retail center is home to over 50 tenants including national brands GUESS and LeSportSac and also a number of local favorites such as Local Motion, Ukulele House, and Higgins Harte International Galleries.

MGA Architecture, Honolulu, Hawaii, specified the design of the trellis to use Strongwell’s EXTREN 2 x 6-½-in. rectangular tubes. Plas-Tech fabricated the trellis components by molding the outrigger beams and assembling and painting. MGA’s design was inspired by the native Hawaiian culture to evoke sensory response and emotional experience while blending in with the overly urban character of modern-day Waikiki. The trellis system was easily installed and both MGA and Plas-Tech are very happy with the finished product. MGA Architecture was so pleased with Strongwell’s FRP structural shapes, they have plans to add five more trellis systems on the neighboring building. They will also use Strongwell components for another future project.

Project Summary: Waikiki Shopping Plaza, Waikiki, Hawaii

BUILDING TEAM
Architect: MGA Architectures
Fabricator: Plas-Tech Ltd.
Product: Strongwell EXTREN 2 x 6-½-in. rectangular tubes

EXTREN is a proprietary combination of fiberglass reinforcements and thermosetting polyester or vinyl ester resin systems. It is produced in more than 100 standard shapes and has a surface veil to protect against glass fibers penetrating the resin surface in service and to increase corrosion and UV resistance. The features of EXTREN include: corrosion resistant, Low Conductivity – thermally and electrically, non-magnetic – electromagnetic transparency, lightweight, high strength, dimensional stability, and low maintenance.

The features of EXTREN include: corrosion resistant, low conductivity – thermally and electrically, non-magnetic – electromagnetic transparency, lightweight, high strength, dimensional stability, and low maintenance.

EXTREN is offered in three series designed for different environments and applications:

  • Series 500 – an all-purpose series utilizing an isophthalic polyester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Series 500 color is Olive Green
  • Series 525 – An all-purpose series utilizing a fire retardant isophthalic polyester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Series 525 color is Slate Gray (plus certain handrail and fixed ladder components in yellow)
  • Series 625 - A premium series both fire retardant and highly corrosion resistant utilizing a vinyl ester resin system with a UV inhibitor. Series 625 color is Beige

For more information, contact Strongwell at 276-645-8000, webmaster@strongwell.com or visit www.strongwell.com. BD+C

Related Stories

Architects | May 2, 2024

Emerging considerations in inclusive design

Design elements that consider a diverse population of users make lives better. When it comes to wayfinding, some factors will remain consistent—including accessibility and legibility.

K-12 Schools | Apr 30, 2024

Fully electric Oregon elementary school aims for resilience with microgrid design

The River Grove Elementary School in Oregon was designed for net-zero carbon and resiliency to seismic events, storms, and wildfire. The roughly 82,000-sf school in a Portland suburb will feature a microgrid—a small-scale power grid that operates independently from the area’s electric grid. 

AEC Tech | Apr 30, 2024

Lack of organizational readiness is biggest hurdle to artificial intelligence adoption

Managers of companies in the industrial sector, including construction, have bought the hype of artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative technology, but their organizations are not ready to realize its promise, according to research from IFS, a global cloud enterprise software company. An IFS survey of 1,700 senior decision-makers found that 84% of executives anticipate massive organizational benefits from AI. 

Codes and Standards | Apr 30, 2024

Updated document details methods of testing fenestration for exterior walls

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) updated a document serving a recommended practice for determining test methodology for laboratory and field testing of exterior wall systems. The document pertains to products covered by an AAMA standard such as curtain walls, storefronts, window walls, and sloped glazing. AAMA 501-24, Methods of Test for Exterior Walls was last updated in 2015. 

MFPRO+ News | Apr 29, 2024

World’s largest 3D printer could create entire neighborhoods

The University of Maine recently unveiled the world’s largest 3D printer said to be able to create entire neighborhoods. The machine is four times larger than a preceding model that was first tested in 2019. The older model was used to create a 600 sf single-family home made of recyclable wood fiber and bio-resin materials.

K-12 Schools | Apr 29, 2024

Tomorrow's classrooms: Designing schools for the digital age

In a world where technology’s rapid pace has reshaped how we live, work, and communicate, it should be no surprise that it’s also changing the PreK-12 education landscape.

Adaptive Reuse | Apr 29, 2024

6 characteristics of a successful adaptive reuse conversion

In the continuous battle against housing shortages and the surplus of vacant buildings, developers are turning their attention to the viability of adaptive reuse for their properties.

AEC Innovators | Apr 26, 2024

National Institute of Building Sciences announces Building Innovation 2024 schedule

The National Institute of Building Sciences is hosting its annual Building Innovation conference, May 22-24 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. BI2024 brings together everyone who impacts the built environment: government agencies, contractors, the private sector, architects, scientists, and more. 

Mass Timber | Apr 25, 2024

Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 25, 2024

How pools can positively affect communities

Clark Nexsen senior architects Jennifer Heintz and Dorothea Schulz discuss how pools can create jobs, break down barriers, and create opportunities within communities.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Urban Planning

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.



Libraries

Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library

DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021