Sleekline Canopy Becomes Beacon of Hope at Food Bank

The design team at Parkhill, Smith & Cooper Inc. wanted to create an entrance “you can’t help but notice” for the new West Texas Food Bank in Midland. “We wanted an attraction, a focal point, to help clients and volunteers find the building,” says RJ Lopez, AIA. “And we wanted to make people smile.” The team did all that and more with a Sleekline canopy engineered by Duo-Gard.

At 36’ wide x 27’ long, the translucent polycarbonate canopy installed in early 2017 is filmed in bright green to echo the architectural accents on the facility. The 7,000 square-foot building was a donation, along with land, and PSC completed a renovation in late 2016 which included a 4,000 square-foot addition.

This is the second WTFB location and unlike the existing headquarters in Odessa, it’s not a food distribution center. However, the Midland location serves as an advanced volunteer and education facility, focused on teaching about more healthful eating, growing local plants and flowers, as well as functioning as a community center for events.

The Sleekline canopy is part of an outdoor learning trail and has seating plus shade for classes, says Lopez, adding that the bright green color is a significant factor. “The color is one of the first things you see, giving an impression of freshness and hope,” he says.

Lit with in-ground LEDs that can be remote controlled by cell phone, the translucent canopy becomes a glowing landmark by night.

The architect chose Duo-Gard’s Sleekline system because of its clean, contemporary profile. “Because of the design’s slope, the canopy’s panel attachments and drainage system required a lot of feedback and support from Duo-Gard,” Lopez says. “There was a great deal of collaboration.”

Lopez says the building previously was dark and had little aesthetic appeal. “The canopy has been very positive,” he adds. “When people walk in, they can’t help but notice it.”

Photo Credit: Talley Photography

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