October 12, 2008

Tropical J's Inc., Honolulu, HI, has been recognized again with two, 2008 International Achievement Awards. Presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), two of their projects have been awarded for their exceptional specialty fabric accomplishments.

For 61 years, the International Achievement Awards have recognized skillful design, technological innovation and excellence in the specialty fabrics industry. The projects created by the industry continue to grow in scope as applications for specialty fabrics advance. The 61st annual competion received a record 387 entries, a high that has finally topped the 1998 record of 372 entries. Entries from 14 countries were submitted into 28 categories and judged by a diverse panel of industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals who were selected for their knowledge of the category. Judges evaluated each entry based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function.

Tropical J's Inc. received an Outstanding Achievement Award for its Kahalui Post Office Distribution project. The project was recognized in the competition’s Multiple Fabric Structures category.

Tropical J's Inc. also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for it's Gold Bond Lantern Project.

Selected from 408 entries in 16 different countries, these winners represent many of today’s top professionals in the specialty fabrics industry. Entries in 28 categories were judged by a diverse panel of industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals selected for their knowledge of the particular category of competition. Judging was based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function.

The competition is sponsored by IFAI, a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabrics marketplace. The 2008 International Achievement awards were presented during IFAI Expo 2008, the largest annual specialty fabrics event held this year in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Category: Awnings, Commercial
Project Title: Kahalui Post Office Distribution
Date Installed: April 2008
Approximate Size: 16ft wide x 9ft projection per awning

What is the project?
The Kahulai, Maui, Post Office wanted awnings to be hung onto the side of an old commercial tent used to provide rain protection to trucks and workers during the loading and unloading of mail trucks at the Kahului Airport. There was not enough structure to attach the awnings to, except for the main tent rafters. Tropical J's designed a "bear trap"-type structure that is hinged on the sides and held in place by cables. Each structure is designed from two large radius tubes, smaller spreader tubes and then positioned and held in place by large hinge structures that support the awnings only on the tent's rafters. Fabric was then attached from the awning frame to the tent, creating a waterproof covering for each of the openings.

In which city, state, and country was the project installed or used?
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, USA

What is unique or complex about the project?
The use of two different radii for each awning required the use of articulated hinges to facilitate adjustment and then the tensioning of the rear radius back against the tent. It was unique idea we had never tried before that worked!

What were the results of the project?
Satisfied the customer requirements. We took a very old clear span type structure that was not functional in the the rain, and turned it into something functional and modern. Now on the way to and from the airport it is no longer an eye soar but something very unique.

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Category: Canopies, Commercial
Project Title: Gold Bond Lantern Project
Date Installed: Dec 06
Approximate Size: 7 hanging structures 4ft x 4ft x 6ft

What is the project?
Seven (7) decorative "Lanterns" Aluminum and fabric structures suspended from 8 floors above the atrium garden within the Gold Bond Building

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?
Provide Seven (7) decorative "Lanterns" within the upper level atrium during the renovation of the Gold Bond Building in Honolulu.

In which city, state, and country was the project installed or used?
Honolulu, Island Of Oahu, Hawaii

What is unique or complex about the project?
While within the Atrium, the structures were to be subjected to sun, wind and rain from above and from the Parking garage on one side. They wanted a fabric architecture look (stretched fabrics). But fabrics normally used for this purpose are not for external use. Secondly, we needed to suspend them from areas over the atrium where there were no structure from above. Essentially, they hang from the sky. So we had to design a suspended wire system suspended from 8 floors above the deck and install a winche system so that the individual stacks could be lowered for maintenance and cleaning. One major difficulty was getting Sunbrella to stretch over the square frame requireing that we actually assembled the frames within the fabric tubes.

What were the results of the project?
very satisfied client. Unfortunately, the project is located in a private commercial building so no one except the tenants even know it's there.

Is there any other relevant information that may impact the judges' decision?
Designing the fabric structures was a relatively small part of this project. The cable support system was by far the biggest challenge, particularly its installation. After it was all completed, we noticed a small piece of masking tape hanging from one of the wires and had to put a person in a boatswain's chair and sling him out there just to remove the tape!!

For more information on the annual International Achievement Awards competition, contact Christine Malmgren, International Achievement Awards Manager, at 1801 County Road B W., Roseville MN, 55113-4061, phone: +1 651 225 6926 or 800 225 4324, fax: +1 651 631 9334, e-mail awards@ifai.com, or visit www.ifai.com.