A fabric covered trellis provides the ultimate look, comfort and functionality.

Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, is a new Palm Beach County educational attraction with a dedicated area for viewing manatees up close. The 16,000-square-foot center features engaging, hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn all about these endangered and unique creatures as well as the natural wonders of the surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon. On cold winter days, the facility’s observation deck is the ideal spot to view manatee herds basking in the warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.

The center is highlighted by a tensile fabric covered second floor viewing area which provides the best vantage point to see manatees in their natural habitat. Designed, fabricated and installed by Hoover Architectural Products for FPL and Black Diamond contracting, the area was originally going to only have a trellis above; which would provide little sun protection. While keeping the trellis design intent, Hoover was able include a tensile fabric cover above the aluminum trellis sections which provided a full use, all weather area that complimented the architectural features of the building.

Frame material: Aluminum tubing

Fabric type: Serge Ferrari Precontraint 502 vinyl fabric

Fabric Supplier: TriVantage

Thread type: Gore Tenara PTFE

Paint: Electrostatically Painted PPG Coraflon