01. Site Survey & Client Requirements
The restaurant is built on a floating timber-decked pontoon moored along an urban Swedish canal. Before the retrofit, the deck relied on temporary stretch-fabric canopies around a central bar and open dining area.
- Cold and wet waterfront climate: Chilly river winds and sudden rain reduced outdoor dining reliability.
- Short operating season: Temporary fabric canopies provided little thermal protection during colder months.
- Floating platform constraints: The new enclosure had to suit the pontoon deck without compromising guest circulation or views.
- Large clear dining zone: The owner required a wide, column-free interior for up to 80 seated guests.
- Convertible operation: The restaurant needed to switch quickly between enclosed dining and open-air waterfront use.
02. Conceptual Design & 3D BIM Modelling
SUNRAY developed a six-bay bi-parting enclosure designed around the full pontoon footprint, maintaining generous headroom and a clean nautical appearance.
2.1 High-Headroom Waterfront Geometry
The side walls provide approximately 2,878 mm of straight vertical clearance, while the roof rises to a 3,200 mm central crown. This preserves comfortable staff and guest circulation and supports drainage across the floating structure.
2.2 Six-Bay 3+3 Bi-Parting Kinematics
The six modules divide at the center, with three bays telescoping toward the bow and three toward the stern. When retracted, they form 2,460 mm end stacks and expose a 9,080 mm central dining zone to the sky.
2.3 Four-Season Restaurant Conversion
In the closed configuration, the full 14 m enclosure creates a protected dining hall for colder or rainy conditions; in warm weather, the central opening restores an al fresco waterfront atmosphere.
03. Shop Drawings & Dimensional Coordination
Approved production drawings established the 14 m baseline, module breakdown, 8 m width, 6.77 m clear dining span and elevation geometry before fabrication.
- Total track baseline: 14,000 mm
- Clear central opening: 9,080 mm
- End stack footprint: 2,460 mm each side
- Verification formula: 2,460 + 9,080 + 2,460 = 14,000 mm
- Overall structural width: 8,000 mm
- Internal clear dining span: 6,770 mm
- Covered side walkway: 615 mm each side
- Maximum crown height: 3,200 mm
- Perimeter vertical clearance: 2,878 mm
- Roof rise: 322 mm
- Interior bar clearance: 2,400 mm
- Module division: 6 telescoping bays
Shop drawing Sheet 2: 9,080 mm clear central opening and 2,460 mm end stacks.
04. Precision Manufacturing & Factory Quality Control
Manufacturing focused on the marine-exposed multi-track system, drainage interfaces, reinforced aluminum profiles and consistent module geometry.
4.1 Multi-Cavity Aluminum Tracks & Structural Profiles
The source documents heavy-gauge 6063-T6 aluminum multi-track floor sills, perimeter profiles and roof members with internal reinforcement chambers.
4.2 CNC Machining
Automated machining was used for roller-track cavities, mounting pockets and drainage slots required by the moving system.
4.3 Marine-Grade White Finish
The aluminum components received a white fluorocarbon architectural finish intended for repeated exposure to waterfront humidity, UV and Nordic freeze-thaw conditions.
05. 1:1 Factory Trial Pre-Assembly & Kinematic Testing
Before export, SUNRAY completed full-scale trial assembly and kinematic testing across the complete 14.00 m baseline and 8.00 m width.
5.1 Baseline Alignment & Six-Bay Nesting
- Track parallelism and diagonal squareness were checked across the full assembly.
- All six modules were tested for smooth bi-parting movement without binding or profile interference.
- End-stack clearances were checked against the 2,460 mm nesting footprint.
5.2 Motor Synchronization & Weather-Seal Inspection
- Synchronized electric drives were cycled repeatedly for opening and closing.
- The project source records a full operating cycle of approximately three minutes.
- EPDM sweep-gasket contact was checked along module overlaps for airtight and watertight sealing.
06. Export Packaging & Ocean Logistics
After factory testing, the modules, tracks and glazing components were protected for ocean and road transport to Sweden.
- Aluminum members were wrapped with protective foam, corner guards and stretch film.
- Disassembled modules, track sections and glazing panels were packed into reinforced export plywood crates.
- Crates were secured for ocean freight to Sweden and onward delivery to the waterfront site.
07. On-Site Installation in Sweden
After delivery, the prefabricated enclosure was installed on the floating pontoon deck under professional contractor supervision.
7.1 Pontoon Deck Reinforcement & Track Leveling
The 14,000 mm guide tracks were positioned along the reinforced pontoon perimeter and anchored into the structural deck subframe, then laser-leveled across the 8 m span.
7.2 Module Assembly & Glazing Installation
The six pre-machined modules were assembled on the guide tracks and fitted with the specified safety glazing.
7.3 Motor Wiring & Bi-Parting Calibration
The electric drive units were connected to the central control panel and calibrated for synchronized remote-controlled movement toward both ends.
08. Final Handover & Commercial Operation
The completed enclosure converts the previously seasonal pontoon into a flexible hospitality space that can operate in both protected and open-air modes.
- Four-season dining: The enclosed configuration provides a more controlled environment during cold, windy or rainy conditions.
- Large open-air zone: Retraction creates a 9,080 mm central opening for al fresco waterfront dining.
- High interior clearance: 2,878 mm side-wall headroom supports comfortable guest and staff circulation.
- Fast conversion: The system opens or closes in approximately three minutes according to the project source.
- Commercial capacity: The project source describes dining for up to 80 guests under the completed enclosure.
09. Application Scenarios
The same bi-parting retractable restaurant enclosure concept can be adapted to waterfront and hospitality projects requiring seasonal flexibility and wide clear spans.
- Floating pontoon and riverboat restaurants
- Waterfront resort and marina dining terraces
- Lakeside hotels and event decks
- Rooftop commercial lounges and skybars