The popular 131,000 square footage Campus Center at the University of West Georgia (UWG) is home to many amenities including indoor basketball courts, a climbing wall, event ballrooms, and a large outdoor patio. The University of West Georgia (UWG) prides itself on providing its students with a state-of-the-art campus that's conducive to learning, socializing, and engaging in extracurricular activities. However, the lack of a large study area outside the buildings had been a persistent challenge for the students. Other outdoor study areas were too small and quickly filled up, leaving many students with no choice but to study indoors.
Moreover, the outdoor patio at the Campus Center struggled to attract large numbers of students due to the absence of shading in the area. During events, students would often have to endure the scorching sun, which made it uncomfortable to sit outside for long periods. As a result, attendance at campus events was low, and retention suffered.
To address these challenges, the university installed five Hyperbolic Sail Shades and two Standard Sail Shades on the outdoor patio overlooking UWG's Love Valley. This provided uninterrupted shade across the patio while still allowing the gentle breeze to flow through, allowing students to fully enjoy their breaks in the natural surroundings of the campus. To seamlessly blend with the surrounding buildings, UWG opted for a neutral off-white color for both the metal posts and fabric. This shade comes equipped with electrical outlets in the posts, allowing students to study and charge their devices simultaneously. Additionally, the university also installed a lighting system, making it possible for students to enjoy the space even at night.
Since the installation of the shades, the outdoor patio has become a hub of activity, with students using it not only for studying but also for dining and hosting events. The transformation of the outdoor patio area has significantly improved attendance and retention at campus events, making it a much more vibrant and engaging space for students.
