En-Fold® System Promotes Resident Well-Being and Community at Gardenside, Ingleside Farm

MINNEAPOLIS - Nov. 11, 2019 - PRLog -- The Gardenside Memory Care wing, the newest addition to Ingleside Farm retirement community, aims to enhance resident well-being and promote opportunities to connect with others on the campus.

To ensure continuous, all-weather resident access to an outdoor terrace, the design team at Perkins Eastman incorporated an En-Fold® stadium-grade retractable awing system across the space, providing vital shade from the sun and rain shelter for residents to delight in a secure outdoor respite.

"Our goal for this area of the phased campus expansion was to provide new residential 'neighborhoods' and amenities for existing and future residents who moved in and needed specialized Memory Support care," says Johnathan Morris, Senior Associate, Perkins Eastman. "The En-Fold system provided flexibility to adjust conditions on the enclosed outdoor terrace for the occupants."

Manufactured by Uni-Systems, LLC,  the globally-recognized leader in the design, engineering, manufacture, and installation of large-scale kinetic architectural systems, the installed En-Fold system was 48' wide, with four drive beams.

"We wanted the spaces to feel homelike but maintain the safety and security for both visitors and residents alike," says Morris. "In this area, the En-Fold system can easily remain open when weather permitted or extended to help with protection from rain or direct summer sun," says Morris.

Architectural-grade ePTFE fabric panels were specified for this En-Fold system. The fabric permits 40% light transmission — suitable for focusing on tabletop activities while still blocking more than 85% of ambient UV rays.

Gardenside at Ingleside Farm was completed in 2019. Perkins Eastman were responsible for architectural design services. The general contractor was Whiting Turner, the fabricator was Lightweight Mfg, and installation was completed by Carroll Awning.

For more information about En-Fold systems, visit: www.en-fold.com.

About Uni-Systems:

Uni-Systems is recognized as the leading designer and advocate of kinetic architecture, creating transformative, mechanized structures that change with climate, need or purpose. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Uni-Systems earned its reputation as a world-class leader in motion technology by profitably completing more than 120 projects for the military, aircraft, and entertainment industries over the last fifty years. For more information, visit: www.uni-systems.com