College sails

The Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, a prestigious teaching and family studies private college in Tauranga, New Zealand, recently upgraded its campus with enhanced outdoor landscaping and dedicated event and gathering spaces. One of these spaces benefited from the addition of two custom interlocking shade sails designed and fabricated by Shade Protection Ltd.

Shade Protection designed an unusual suspended cable system that minimizes interference at the ground level by using eight support posts that are kept at the perimeter. Alternating high and low points are tied back to 3m- and 5m-high powder-coated, high-tensile steel posts that are raked outward at a slight angle to give the structure a sense of movement and energy.

The space has become a popular spot for lunch breaks for both students and staff, and the college is delighted that its new outdoor centerpiece gets lots of use for official events.