Atkins project wins ACASPA award

Chris Atkins minimizes his company’s scope to maximize quality.

By Sigrid Tornquist

Chris Atkins doesn’t shy away from taking on large, complex projects—like a project his company completed for an installation at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Ariz. “The degree of difficulty in a project like that is stunning,” Atkins says. The client—USA Shade & Fabric Structures in Cassville, Mo.— chose PTFE (Teflon®-coated fiberglass) fabric for the structure for its superior flammability properties as compared to PVC fabric. “Initially I thought it’s a crazy project to use with Teflon fabric because Teflon is very rigid and difficult to handle with a large-size project,” he says. “But once you get into a project, if you’re good at what you do, you make it work.”

Atkins Fabrication did “make it work.” The project, named Skysong, was awarded “Overall Winner” of the ACASPA (Australian Canvas & Synthetic Products Association) 2009 Awards for Excellence.

Sigrid Tornquist is a freelance author and editor based in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the editor of InTents magazine, another IFAI publication.