In theme parks, water parks, hotels and resorts, and even on campsites or at other leisure and tourist attractions, shading systems should go unnoticed. Visitors should not be distracted from the experience itself simply by walking in the shade. This is precisely one of the virtues of theming: transforming a technical necessity for the comfort of tourists, travellers and visitors into a feature that is indistinguishable from the venue’s narrative.
A carefully designed feature of artificial rocks will cast ample shade, whilst also potentially housing technical rooms, cooling the atmosphere with waterfalls, serving as a viewing point or guiding the route. Similarly, an integrated awning system will serve to protect visitors as they move through the site.
The range of design solutions available is wide: alternating open areas with sheltered passageways, combining light and shade, or introducing transitions via caves, vegetation, pergolas and water features are just some of the options for creating a pleasant route even during the sunniest months.
After all, the perception of the atmosphere surrounding attractions in a theme park, water park, hotels and resorts, campsites and so on, forms part of the experience of tourists, travellers and visitors, and contributes significantly to their well-being. For this reason, a variety of shaded environments enhances that perception and, consequently, the appeal of the route.
By Cristina Uchán, senior architect in the Architecture Department at Amusement Logic
