This modular pergola concept gives each terrace its own identity

Different configurations, roof types, ambient walls and lighting styles

As a hotel manager, with the right patio cover, you transform your outdoor areas into cosy spots where guests are sheltered from sun, wind and rain. So they can enjoy a drink, lunch or dinner carefree. How much fun would it be to put together your own pergola? It is possible with the new modular SO! Universe concept from Winsol. Different configurations, three types of roof, twelve insulated and non-insulated ambient walls, a dozen options in terms of lighting, heating and integrated speakers: you combine at will to create a customised outdoor space.

SO! Universe by Winsol excels thanks to its versatility, allowing this pergola to fit in with any architectural style: modern and minimalist, romantic and familiar or rural and cottage. Constructed from elegant but sturdy aluminium profiles and available in a wide range of colours, this terrace covering can be built against the façade with two or three posts, self-supporting on four posts or built between two walls without posts. You link several modules - lengthwise and widthwise - to cover a large space or create several spaces next to each other, such as an outdoor kitchen, buffet room or dining area. 

"As a customer, you can choose between three types of roofs," explains marketing manager Karolien Coussée. "While the Classic roof is equipped with classic double-walled, tilting slats, the Climate version consists of 100 per cent rain- and windproof and sound-insulating slats. By tilting the aluminium slats, you control the amount of light or shade. When closed, the pergola is completely airtight thanks to slats with special seals that rest perfectly on the gutters. The sound-absorbing slats almost completely shut out the drip of rain. Rainwater is elegantly and functionally drained via four integrated gutters and drainage via the posts." 

Furthermore, you can opt for the fixed Cocoon roof with the warmth and cosiness of real poplar wood in three colour options. The reinforced insulation makes the roof water- and airtight, giving guests a feeling of protection and comfort as if they were inside. Finally, for linked modules, it is also possible to combine a wooden roof and a bioclimatic slatted roof.

When developing this SO! Universe, Winsol's R&D department thought not only about design, but equally about comfort and atmosphere. Thus, one can open or close each module at will to protect from the sun, cold or any weather condition, and one gets numerous lighting options. Heating, integrated speakers, USB ports and sockets - everything is possible.

"We want to offer customers unlimited creative freedom with a collection of as many as 12 walls with different atmospheres, protection and insulation levels. Customers can choose a fixed window or steellook window with double glazing, a Cocoon wall made of real wood, a glass aluminium sliding wall or a motorised lifting wall. Options also include a SolFix built-in screen with motor or high-quality outdoor curtains. Other variants include the frameless single-glass sliding wall, the slatted wall, the sliding wall with double screen fabric, the wooden sliding wall with screen fabric and a glass wall combined with outdoor curtains," Coussée indicates. "You can also give free rein to your creativity when it comes to lighting. Dimmable LED strips with direct warm white light or white light with adjustable heat coolness under the four rain gutters, indirect RGB light hidden in the rain gutter, dimmable spotlights in the side gutters or slats or even a dimmable starry sky with LEDs in the roof - there is something for everyone to create the right atmosphere in outdoor areas at any time. In this way, hotel managers always get an appropriate pergola, allowing their guests to enjoy the terrace outside all year round. They can also accommodate more people at the same time, without having to carry out major conversion work."■