Since the global pandemic, many hospitality and commercial establishments have reconsidered the use and functionality of their outdoor spaces, making them more of a priority now than ever before.
In July 2022, outdoor shading manufacturer Caribbean Blinds delivered a highly effective and stylish shading solution in the form of 4 luxury double louvered roof pergola canopies at a vineyard restaurant in the South Downs, resulting in the ultimate outdoor dining area that can be used all year round.
The client
Based in the picturesque South Downs National Park, The Rows & Vine Restaurant at Ridgeview Wine Estate offers an al-fresco dining experience like no other. Guests can relax and enjoy award-winning English sparkling wines alongside perfectly paired seasonal plates, with views over the growing vines and beyond.
The brief
As an outdoor-only restaurant, it was imperative that the space at The Rows & Vine could be utilised in all weather conditions to ensure maximum revenue year round. Therefore, as part of the design, a series of canopies were incorporated into the zoned terraces, as well as adjacent to the bar area to provide diners with a comfortable space to enjoy the iconic views and the perfect spot to sip, savour and celebrate.
The finished result
After working closely with the project architect, 4 double modules of the ‘Deluxe’ Outdoor Living Pod™ were specified to fully cover a space totalling almost 200sq/m. Featuring a louvered roof that rotates 150 degrees and is completely watertight when closed, the Pods create the perfect atmosphere on the terrace beneath – all throughout the seasons.
Additionally integrated side screens were installed to prevent breezes and driving rain, whilst infra-red heaters and LED ambient lighting were integrated on the inside of the cross beams to keep the chill away and softly illuminate the terrace on darker afternoons and evenings.
The project took just 12 weeks from start to finish, with the installation taking less than 2 weeks to complete, all ready for the official opening and first private event – a vineyard wedding! A dedicated project manager guaranteed a seamless process and full CAD drawings were provided for sign off and to ensure the perfect positioning of required services, along with other elements such as interaction with decking.
Matt Gayler, General Manager at Ridgeview commented: “We wanted to design and create an amazing space that blended naturally into the surrounding environment. Through al-fresco led design, we wanted to be able to operate year-round, whilst always delivering an engaging customer experience.
"The Deluxe Outdoor Living Pod™ was selected because of its adaptability and design, with the structures becoming an integral part of the overall scheme. Caribbean Blinds were efficient from design to on-site logistics and being a UK manufacturer gave us peace of mind.”
The Outdoor Living Pod™ explained…
Ingeniously designed for those who want to live life outdoors, the innovative rotating louvered roof offers an open-air alfresco feel when left fully open, and ensures a completely water, wind and even snow-tight roof when closed. Optional windproof screens, ambient LED perimeter lighting and instant infra-red heaters mean a cosy and pleasant environment can be achieved all year round. Built for durability and longevity, the low-maintenance Outdoor Living Pod™ is constructed from super strong, corrosion resistant, powder coated aluminium and adapts to any outdoor lounging or dining space.
Caribbean Blinds saw the demand for its range of high-quality weather-proof awnings, external blinds and pergolas rise by 161% during the pandemic – which shows no signs of slowing down. Through supplying the UK’s finest external shading systems to both residential and commercial clients, Caribbean Blinds is leading the market as it continues on its mission to turn open spaces into year-round revenue creators.
For more information visit https://www.cbsolarshading.co.uk/
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Member-created content 1 year ago | From members