Wing at Florida Mall Offers Sunlit Experience

Opened in 1983 at less than half its current size, Aventura has grown steadily through the decades. The newest addition on the eastern edge was completed in March 2018. “Retail is certainly evolving and we’re always innovating to stay ahead of the curve,” explained Jackie Soffer, co-chair and CEO of Turnberry Associates, owner and managing entity. 

JPRA Architects served as the project’s architect of record, working with general contractor Plaza Construction Group and design architect Carlos Zapata Studios. Super Sky Products Enterprises manufactured and installed a 347-ft.-long, 96-ft.-wide, custom, vaulted skylight to crown the addition.

According to Turnberry Associates, “Zapata’s guiding principles—connectivity, integration and transparency—are the hallmarks of the wing’s distinctive design, and complement Turnberry’s progressive vision.  Everything is bathed in the sun’s rays filtering through a continuous skylight that hovers over the entire length of this modernist extension.”

Supporting Aventura Mall’s bright, modern design, Linetec finished the skylight’s aluminum framing components in a Pale Oak color. Upholding the specified appearance and functionality, the durable, 70% PVDF resin-based finishes also complement the skylight’s high-performance Viracon glass to keep shoppers comfortable beneath the warm, Florida sun.

Skylight manufacturer and installer, Super Sky, incorporated nearly 11,000 sq. ft. of Viracon’s VNE1-63 clear, insulated, heat-strengthened glass with white, 40% dot frit silk-screening and low-e coating. The 0.5-in. air space with stainless steel spacers improved the insulated glass units’ thermal performance for energy efficiency. The StormGuard enhanced PVB interlayer also optimized performance for large missile impact hurricane-resistance.

“Performance in coastal conditions also is one of the most challenging environments for aluminum,” says Linetec’s senior marketing specialist, Tammy Schroeder, LEED Green Associate. “Without proper precautions and finishes, corrosion to aluminum components can damage the building envelope’s structural integrity, leading to systemic failure. With skylights—especially those located in a region prone to high winds, tropical storms and hurricanes—structural integrity is critical to protecting both property and people.”

To stand up to harsh coastal or corrosive environments, Linetec recommends the highest-performing organic paint coating meeting the American Architectural Manufacturers Association 2605 specification. This specification requires paint coatings to meet rigorous testing performance standards including more than 4,000 hours of salt spray, and heat- and humidity-resistance. These 70% PVDF resin-based coatings also shield the aluminum against weathering, pollution and aging, as well intense UV radiation, attributes that contribute to long-term chalk resistance, gloss retention and color retention.