Address: 6000 W Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL
Work: KENPAT provided and installed ceiling systems, acoustical ceilings and architectural finishes.
GC: D.F. Chase, Inc.
Architect: Blur Workshop
Dates: Nov.25, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Awards:
• 2025 ABC CISCA Gold Award
Gaylord Palms Sun Ballroom
Situation
The Sun Ballroom is a critical venue within the Gaylord Palms Resort, hosting large corporate gatherings and entertainment events. The renovation scope included the demolition and replacement of ceilings, doors, wall coverings, lighting, and flooring. The ballroom’s elegant architectural elements had to be preserved while modernizing its functionality.
The project’s most significant challenge was its limited timeframe. The ballroom was only completely vacant for six weeks, requiring KENPAT to coordinate with other trades, manage a complex material delivery schedule, and ensure every installation was precise. The ceiling system, a defining feature of the space, presented additional complications due to its custom GFRG components and irregular ceiling bay sizes.
Task
KENPAT was responsible for delivering a fully integrated ceiling system while ensuring the ballroom’s architectural integrity. The scope included:
• Installing a new 4’ x 4’ silhouette grid and ceiling tile system to replace existing acoustical ceilings.
• Coordinating GFRG installation for 600 custom-fabricated pieces shipped from Mexico.
• Prefabricating soffits to ensure seamless integration into the ballroom’s non-uniform ceiling bays.
• Managing precise trade coordination with AV, electrical, and plumbing subcontractors to avoid costly rework.
• Executing all work within the rigid six-week timeframe, allowing successor trades to complete their work on schedule.
Action
KENPAT implemented a strategic, multi-phase approach to meet the aggressive timeline:
Prefabrication for Efficiency - To reduce on-site labor and accelerate installation, framed soffits were pre frabicated off site and drywall routed on site using a PanelMax machine. This process eliminated unnecessary cutting and finishing in the field, streamlining the installation of the ntricate ceiling system.
Structural Coordination for GFRG Installation - Precision was critical in framing the ballroom’s non-uniform ceiling bays. Before installation, KENPAT verified dimensions against GFRG shop drawings, ensuring prefabricated soffits were correctly sized. A full plywood backing system was introduced to provide a secure mounting surface for the GFRG ceiling panels, preventing misalignment and installation delays.
Seamless Trade Coordination -Given the compressed schedule, weekly pre-mobilization meetings were held to align all trades before on-site work began. Once construction was underway, real-time problem solving ensured that sequencing issues were mitigated, allowing each phase to proceed without disruption.
Result
KENPAT delivered the Sun Ballroom renovation on schedule, despite the project’s logistical and technical challenges. Prefabrication and advanced coordination allowed the team to streamline installation, maintaining the ballroom’s elegant aesthetic while modernizing its functionality.
The completed ballroom featured:
Seamless integration of GFRG ceilings with AV components
High-end acoustical treatments and modern finishes
A refreshed, sophisticated aesthetic suited for high-profile events
Beyond achieving on-time delivery, the project demonstrated best-in-class trade coordination and efficiency, setting a new benchmark for complex hospitality renovations.