A Retractable Roof for Outdoor Dining That Matches the View
The rooftop terrace at Baisha Wharf — one of Ningbo’s most recognised waterfront dining destinations — was losing revenue every time the weather turned.
On sunny days, guests fled the heat. During the city’s long rainy season, the outdoor section simply closed. Around 10 tables of capacity sat idle whenever conditions weren’t right.
The brief was clear: more than a waterproof canopy. The solution had to be retractable — open to the sea view on clear days, fully sealed in rain — and premium enough to become part of the venue’s identity. A conventional flat awning or gable structure was considered and rejected early.
This project is part of our commercial retractable roof portfolio, covering restaurants, hotels, resorts and event venues across 110+ countries.
We first made contact in early 2024. Rather than pitching a product, we provided completed project documentation, on-site videos, and a local reference address the client could inspect in person. Two years later, when the project restarted, we were the first call.
What's the Result:
All-Weather Outdoor Dining, 289 m² Covered
The completed curved retractable pergola system added approximately 200 m² of all-weather usable dining space and restored full commercial capacity to 10 previously weather-dependent tables.
This waterproof pergola for restaurants operates through rain and shine. On clear days, the motorized canopy retracts completely — preserving the waterfront atmosphere. When rain arrives, the space seals in minutes. Integrated LED lighting extends every evening service.
Within weeks of handover, the client placed a follow-up order for two additional mono-slope awning units — covering a further 61.5 m² of adjacent terrace. Both were delivered to specification and accepted at first inspection.
No lengthy review. The second order was the review.
Custom Curved Pergola Project: Baisha Wharf in Detail
227 m² motorized aluminum pergola · Ningbo, China · Delivered before China Golden Week
A smooth 19.6 m aluminum arc across the full rooftop frontage. Explore our arched pergola range for commercial projects.
Full rooftop coverage in one continuous motorized system — bolt-fixed to the client’s existing steel frame, no structural modification.
LED strips along every rafter beam — commercial-grade ambient lighting that extends evening dining without a separate contractor.
One-button open/close via built-in motorized drive — full retraction preserves the waterfront view on clear days.
Transparent PVC windbreak curtains on all four sides — added post-delivery, zero structural rework to the existing pergola.
LED arc lighting transforms the rooftop into a premium evening destination — a key reason the client reordered within weeks.
Structural Design Drawings — Baisha Wharf Curved Pergola
4 rounds of technical drawing revisions completed before production sign-off — precision-engineered to site measurements.
Frame Structure — Open StateFull aluminum frame layout with arc roofline and column positions. Width 19.6 m · Projection 11.8 m · Height 3.45 m
Canopy Deployed — Side ViewFabric panel deployment layout across the arc frame. 6063-T5 aluminum alloy · Internal column drainage integrated.
Connection & Base DetailBolt-fixed base plate connection to client’s existing steel substructure — no structural modification required.
Plan View — Column LayoutColumn grid and drainage channel routing. 4 drawing revisions completed before final production sign-off.
Motorized Aluminum Pergola System — Key Technical Features
Custom-engineered for a 227 m² commercial rooftop in Ningbo — every specification matched to site conditions and operational requirements.
6063-T5 aluminum alloy arc profile, structurally engineered for a continuous 19.6 m commercial span.
Built-in fiber-optic motor; one-button open and close with no manual handling required on-site.
800 g/m² PVC retractable canopy; zero rain ingress confirmed through a full rainy-season operation.
Water routed through hollow aluminum columns; no visible gutters, clean commercial exterior finish.
Mounted to client’s steel substructure with no modification to the building or existing layout required.
Commercial-grade LED strips extend outdoor dining revenue through evenings without additional contractors.
4 technical drawing revisions before sign-off; produced to precision site measurements for exact fit.
Expedited production and direct China factory logistics met a strict pre-Golden Week commercial deadline.
Commercial Outdoor Canopy Delivered and Installed in 7 Days
Two site surveys in 48 hours · Four technical drawing revisions · First-inspection acceptance
Two trips to Ningbo in 48 hours — first to assess structural conditions, second with a technical specialist for precision measurement of the client’s steel substructure. All connection specs resolved before production started.
4-person installation crew, crane-assisted aluminum profile hoisting, 7 days on-site. No re-drilling or structural adjustments — because the site survey was thorough.
Main system and both follow-up mono-slope awning units — all accepted at first inspection on delivery. No punch lists, no callbacks.
Curved Retractable Pergola Installation: From Site Survey to Handover
When the client confirmed the project in April 2026, our engineering team was on-site within 48 hours — not to start installation, but to survey.
Two trips to Ningbo in two days: the first to assess structural conditions and interface requirements with the client’s existing steel frame, the second with a technical specialist for precision measurement. Four rounds of technical drawing revisions followed before a single aluminum profile went into production.
The curved aluminum retractable pergola carries a longer fabrication cycle than standard flat-frame systems. We coordinated prioritized production scheduling and direct China factory logistics to meet the client’s pre-Golden Week commercial deadline — and delivered on time.
Retractable pergola installation: 4 technicians, 7 days, crane-assisted hoisting. Accepted at first inspection.
All-Weather Outdoor Dining Pergola: Open Every Evening, Rain or Shine
The integrated LED lighting system was specified at the design stage — not retrofitted. Commercial-grade LED strips run along every aluminum rafter beam, creating consistent warm-toned illumination across the full 227 m² retractable canopy.
The waterfront restaurant now operates a full evening service in any weather conditions. The same outdoor dining area that closed on rainy days now generates revenue through dinner service, seven nights a week.
The client’s reason for placing a follow-up order was direct: the waterproof retractable pergola system works reliably, and the LED-lit curved profile looks premium enough to attract higher-spending clientele.
Curved Retractable Pergola Specifications — Baisha Wharf Project
Full technical parameters for all three aluminum pergola units supplied to Baisha Wharf Seafood Restaurant, Ningbo.
- Main Pergola Unit
- Add-On Awning Units
- Project Summary
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Width | 19,600 mm (19.6 m) |
| Projection | 11,800 mm (11.8 m) |
| Height | 3,450 mm (3.45 m) |
| Coverage Area | 227.74 m² |
| Frame Material | 6063-T5 aluminum alloy |
| Fabric | 3D embossed PVC retractable canopy — beige — 800 g/m² |
| Motor System | Built-in fiber-optic motorized drive |
| Drainage | Internal column drainage — direct discharge |
| Frame Connection | Bolt-fixed to client’s existing steel substructure |
| Drawing Revisions | 4 rounds before production sign-off |
| Installation | 4 technicians × 7 days, crane-assisted |
| Parameter | Unit A | Unit B |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 5,000 mm (5.0 m) | 4,200 mm (4.2 m) |
| Projection | 7,900 mm (7.9 m) | 5,240 mm (5.24 m) |
| Coverage Area | 39.5 m² | 22.01 m² |
| System Type | Mono-slope motorized retractable awning | |
| Frame Material | 6063-T5 aluminum alloy | |
| Acceptance | First-inspection pass on delivery | |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project Location | Baisha Wharf, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China |
| Client | Baisha Wharf Seafood Restaurant |
| Project Type | Commercial waterfront F&B — rooftop terrace pergola |
| Total Coverage | 289.25 m² (227.74 + 39.5 + 22.01) |
| Dining Capacity Recovered | ~200 m² / 10 tables — restored to all-weather commercial operation |
| Contract Signed | April 11, 2026 |
| Delivery | Before China Golden Week (May 1, 2026) |
| Installation | 4 technicians × 7 days, crane-assisted |
| Client Reorder | 2× mono-slope motorized awning units (placed within weeks of delivery) |
| Supply Mode | OEM — custom aluminum pergola, China factory-direct supply |
What the Client Said
“It keeps the rain out and looks premium — that’s exactly what we needed for this location.”
Baisha Wharf Seafood RestaurantNingbo, Zhejiang, China — Follow-up order for 2 additional pergola units placed within weeks of delivery
Yes — and this project is a direct example. The entire 227 m² curved aluminum pergola system was bolt-fixed to the client’s existing steel frame with zero structural modification to the building. Our engineers survey every site before production to confirm load compatibility and exact connection specifications.
This 227 m² curved retractable pergola was installed in 7 days by a 4-person crew using crane-assisted hoisting. Installation timelines vary by project scale and site access. For projects over 100 m², we typically allocate 5–10 working days. Timeline is confirmed during the technical survey stage, before production begins.
Yes. The 800 g/m² PVC retractable canopy provides 100% waterproof coverage when deployed. Internal column drainage channels rainwater through hollow aluminum posts and out through base outlets — no edge dripping, no standing water. This system operated through Ningbo’s full rainy season without any ingress.
Curved aluminum profiles have a longer production cycle than standard flat-frame systems. For this project we coordinated expedited scheduling to meet a pre-Golden Week deadline. Standard lead time for OEM custom curved pergola projects is typically 20–35 working days from drawing approval, depending on specifications and order volume.
Yes. YISITE is a China factory-direct OEM manufacturer supplying commercial aluminum pergola systems to distributors, contractors, and project developers in 110+ countries. Full OEM and ODM services cover custom dimensions, fabric grades, motor specifications, and powder coat colours. Contact us with your project brief for a free 3D design and factory-direct quote.
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