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
K-12 Schools | Aug 29, 2024
Designing for dyslexia: How architecture can address neurodiversity in K-12 schools
Architects play a critical role in designing school environments that support students with learning differences, particularly dyslexia, by enhancing social and emotional competence and physical comfort. Effective design principles not only benefit students with dyslexia but also improve the learning experience for all students and faculty. This article explores how key design strategies at the campus, classroom, and individual levels can foster confidence, comfort, and resilience, thereby optimizing educational outcomes for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
Museums | Aug 29, 2024
Bjarke Ingels' Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art conceived as village of 12 pavilions
The 60,000-sm Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China recently topped out. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the museum is conceived as a village of 12 pavilions, offering a modern interpretation of the elements that have defined the city’s urbanism, architecture, and landscape for centuries.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 28, 2024
Cities in Washington State will offer tax breaks for office-to-residential conversions
A law passed earlier this year by the Washington State Legislature allows developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures, including office buildings, into affordable housing.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 28, 2024
UK-based tire company plans to build the first carbon-neutral tire factory in the U.S.
ENSO, a U.K.-based company that makes tires for electric vehicles, has announced plans to build the first carbon-neutral tire factory in the U.S. The $500 million ENSO technology campus will be powered entirely by renewable energy. The first-of-its-kind tire factory aims to be carbon neutral without purchased offsets, using carbon-neutral raw materials and building materials.
Architects | Aug 28, 2024
KTGY acquires residential high-rise specialist GDA Architects
KTGY, an award-winning design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments and urban design, announced that it has acquired GDA Architects, a Dallas-based architectural firm specializing in high rise residential, hospitality and industrial design.
K-12 Schools | Aug 26, 2024
Windows in K-12 classrooms provide opportunities, not distractions
On a knee-jerk level, a window seems like a built-in distraction, guaranteed to promote wandering minds in any classroom or workspace. Yet, a steady stream of studies has found the opposite to be true.
Building Technology | Aug 23, 2024
Top-down construction: Streamlining the building process | BD+C
Learn why top-down construction is becoming popular again for urban projects and how it can benefit your construction process in this comprehensive blog.
Airports | Aug 22, 2024
Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport
This month, the Portland International Airport (PDX) main terminal expansion opened to passengers. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the 1 million-sf project doubles the capacity of PDX and enables the airport to welcome 35 million passengers per year by 2045.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 22, 2024
6 key fire and life safety considerations for office-to-residential conversions
Office-to-residential conversions may be fraught with fire and life safety challenges, from egress requirements to fire protection system gaps. Here are six important considerations to consider.
Resiliency | Aug 22, 2024
Austin area evacuation center will double as events venue
A new 45,000 sf FEMA-operated evacuation shelter in the Greater Austin metropolitan area will begin construction this fall. The center will be available to house people in the event of a disaster such as a major hurricane and double as an events venue when not needed for emergency shelter.
