Balancing Performance, Shade, and Sound at Electric Pickle

The Vision: From Functional Shade to Architectural Focal Point

Electric Pickle in Tempe, AZ, was created as more than a place to play pickleball. The indoor-outdoor entertainment destination combines the fastest-growing sport in America with a laid-back atmosphere for dining, cocktails, and socializing.

The concept, envisioned by Eureka! Restaurant Group President and avid pickleball player Paul Fredrick, was more than four years in the making. From the start, the venue was designed to offer a welcoming, comfortable experience beyond the courts.

Exterior metal plays an important role in realizing that vision. Three wood-look aluminum structures from Parallel Architectural Products transform essential shade, screening, and spatial separation into defining architectural features. Warm in appearance and engineered for the demands of a busy commercial setting, the structures demonstrate how exterior metal can move beyond a functional building element to become a focal point of the guest experience.

"We couldn't be happier with the results," said Paul Meek, former Construction Project Manager for Eureka! Restaurant Group. "The experience as soon as you walk on site has been positive. It's not just about pickleball, it's a fun, safe environment."

The Challenge: A Durable Solution with the Warmth of Wood

The project team wanted the warmth and character of wood while ensuring the exterior structures could perform in a high-traffic sports and hospitality setting.

"We were looking for a durable product to match and mesh with our existing materials throughout the project," Meek said.

The structures needed to withstand Arizona's intense sun and heat, weather exposure, daily crowds, and incidental impacts from pickleballs and rackets. They also needed to provide shade, define dining and lounge areas, protect amenities, and help address noise from multiple pickleball games occurring at once.

Lightweight extruded aluminum with a Pacific Kwila woodgrain finish delivered the desired aesthetic and durability. The powder-coated, sublimated system provides a non-warping, non-combustible alternative to natural wood, with a fade-resistant finish suited to prolonged exterior exposure.

The finish also coordinates with wood-look spindle accents on the main building, creating a more cohesive look across the outdoor spaces.

The Solution: Balancing Environmental Comfort, Installation Ease, and Sound Control

Installed around the courts, the three structures create covered areas for dining, lounging, socializing, and watching matches. Their 6 ″ x 6 ″ and 2″ x 8″ columns, along with 2-1/2″ and 4″ slats at varied spacing, filter sunlight while preserving an open-air feel.

The systems protect furnishings and integrated amenities, including heaters, televisions, and fans. They also create separation between guest groups, supporting a greater sense of privacy without disconnecting visitors from the energy of the venue.

Together, the structures support:

• Outdoor dining and cocktail spaces
• Shaded courtside viewing
• Comfortable retreats for players and spectators
• Social gathering areas for families and groups
• Protection for furnishings and amenities
• Defined zones with added privacy

Rather than functioning as purely utilitarian additions, the structures' scale, rhythmic slat patterns, and warm woodgrain finish make them an integral part of Electric Pickle's architectural identity.

The shade systems use internal-clip concealed fasteners to mimic the clean detailing of finished carpentry. Concealed connections contribute to a streamlined appearance while reducing direct fastener exposure to weather.

The modular pergola system also allows individual components to be maintained or replaced without rebuilding an entire structure. Lightweight aluminum supported installation, while full 20' lengths accommodated the project's cabana designs.

A&A Patio Covers installed the structures, led by owner Alex Berumen. He cited access to 20 ' lengths and competitive pricing as project advantages.

"The full 20-foot lengths and modular aluminum components helped make installation efficient," said Berumen. "The system gave us the flexibility to create the cabanas cleanly while supporting long-term serviceability."

With multiple pickleball games often taking place at once, noise was another important consideration. Paddle impacts, bouncing balls, conversations, and crowd activity all add to the energy of the venue and can travel through its large covered outdoor areas.

"Because of the hard plastic balls and hollow paddles, pickleball noise has become a new, common issue to be solved for in the acoustics community," said Kenneth Good Jr., Architectural Acoustics Specialist at Armstrong World Industries.

Although the aluminum components are not acoustically rated, the pergola and screening structures help break up and diffuse sound as it moves across the property. This contributes to a more comfortable environment for players and diners while helping reduce disruption for nearby businesses.

"Acoustic fences and screens around the playing area can help to absorb, interrupt, or deflect sound away from a desired location," added Good. "It's our job to recommend solutions that can mitigate this noise without compromising aesthetics of these courts."

The Result: A Complete Exterior Experience

The completed shade and screening structures bring durability, warmth, comfort, and architectural cohesion to Electric Pickle's outdoor environment. Varied slat spacing manages sunlight; screening creates privacy; concealed connections provide a refined appearance; and modular construction supports future maintenance.

Most importantly, the solution supports Electric Pickle's original vision: a welcoming destination where guests can play, dine, watch matches, relax, and gather. By turning essential exterior performance needs into expressive architectural features, the project makes exterior metal a defining part of the guest experience.