I was invited to join an R&D brainstorm to think about ways to alleviate the heat in transition areas without overhead cover around various Disney parks. One of the driving criteria was making sure that by providing a shade structure we weren't blocking the view to attractions, buildings and other activations. Looking at nature for inspiration I proposed a deployable shade structure that would expand on cue reacting to environmental sensors.

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The breathable fabric canopy can also host graphics and become a projection surface to supplement night time shows. The expanding and retractable mechanism continued to be developed by the team with an outside consultant. 

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For more information: Google Patents