Large Fabric Structures Provide Protection & Visibility for The MED's New Jim Rout Center for Women & Newborns
Memphis, TN - Parasol Awnings recently completed a 1,600 square feet entrance canopy project for The MED's new Jim Rout Center for Women and Newborns. The MED needed the structure to make the new BirthPlace facility easily recognizable, to give a "happy" atmosphere, and to protect visitors and patients from the elements.
"The MED's BirthPlace project is a good example of how fabric canopies serve multiple purposes," said Michael Folk, president of Parasol Awnings. According to Folk, fabric structures make buildings, like BirthPlace, easy to find. "Visibility is important for large facilities where it's easy for visitors to get lost," Folk said. "Entrance canopies also provide protection from the weather."
After the design was complete, Parasol Awnings manufactured and installed the 1,600 square feet entrance canopy. Parasol Awnings worked with Nathan Evans Taylor Coleman & Foster Architects on the canopy design. Parasol Awnings provided input and estimates for each design concept to Jameson-Gibson General Contractors.
After manufacturing
at Parasol Awnings' facility, the BirthPlace canopy was then transported to
The MED for installation. "Manufacturing the canopy here allowed us to maintain
much tighter quality controls over the entire project," Folk said. According
to Folk, attention to detail in the manufacturing stage insures the canopy
will be accurate during installation.
Folk attributes the project's success to teamwork and a commitment to doing a superior job. "Everyone at Parasol Awnings showed their commitment to the project at every stage of production…it was a real team effort," Folk said.
John Jackson, Production Manager, and Jane Hunolt, Commercial Accounts Manager, worked many hours with general contractor and architect to overcome budget and design constraints. Watershed, long spans and limited access were obstacles Parasol Awnings had to overcome. "Parasol has a reputation for providing solutions for different design projects and it really kept my job interesting," Hunolt said.
Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout was the honoree at special ceremonies last month when The MED unveiled the new name of the hospital's center for women and infants. According to Dr. Bruce Steinhauer, president and CEO at The MED, the center will be called The Rout Center for Women and Newborns.
The Rout Center for Women and Newborns houses services covering the unique needs of mothers and babies. These services make up the comprehensive and expansive care offered for women from early adulthood throughout their childbearing years. The MED's world-renowned Newborn Center founded by Dr. Sheidon Korones is among the services housed in The Rout Center; also, The MED's new birthing center called BirthPlace is located there. BirthPlace features spacious birthing suites, modern and colorfully designed, where mothers deliver their babies in a home-like atmosphere.
The Rout Center for Women and Newborns also links outpatient services, offered through the hospitals modern MEDPlex, located at 880 Madison Avenue. This outpatient medical mall houses services from primary and urgent care to diagnostic radiology, ultrasound, speech and hearing services, the Diggs-Kraus Sickle Cell Center, Adult Special Care and more.
Parasol Awnings is a Memphis-based company that designs, manufactures and installs awnings, canopies, and screen products for the commercial and residential communities in the Mid South area. Clients include the Memphis Pyramid, Jitney Premier, Embassy Suites, Davis Kidd, Piggly Wiggly, Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis City Schools, Marriott, Promus, Perkins Restaurant, Folk's Folly Restaurant, Hard Rock Café, Huey's, Blue Plate Cafe, and many others.
Parasol Awnings recently won the IFAI International Award for the Memphis Pyramid 8,090-square-feet canopy project. The Pyramid canopy project was selected for its special design, construction, and difficulty of installation. Parasol Awnings was chosen for the award out of 323 entries and 115 companies from 13 countries. The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is a nonprofit trade association whose member companies represent all aspects of the international industrial and technical fabrics and textiles marketplace. Members' products include fibers, fabrics, textiles, end products, equipment and hardware. Member companies manufacture and supply products for the diverse range of industrial/technical fabric market segments, including architectural structures, awnings, automotive, banners and flags, casual furniture, geosynthetics, marine, medical, narrow fabrics, recreation, rental tents, safety and protection, tarps and truck covers, and transportation.
Parasol Awnings, LLC • 4834 Hickory Hill Rd • Memphis, TN 38141
Phone (901) 368-4477 • Fax (901) 368-1798 • Toll Free (866) 267-4091
Email parasol@parasolawnings.com
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