Case Study
FIU Student Housing
Enhancing Student Living
A Project in a luxury student housing community
Adam America Real Estate, a prominent New York-based development firm, partnered with Coastal Construction to deliver a large-scale student housing project directly across from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Designed to accommodate a high volume of student residents, the building features modern architecture, expansive window openings, and a strong focus on functionality, comfort, and safety.
As a trusted supplier for Adam America, ShadeMonster was selected to provide tailored window treatment solutions throughout the building, offering both aesthetic value and high-performance functionality across residential and amenity spaces.
Project Goals
With modern architecture, oversized windows, and a fast-paced construction timeline, the project called for both design precision and installation agility. ShadeMonster was called for:
- Create a high-quality student living environment across from FIU that maximizes comfort, safety, and modern design appeal
- Provide shading solutions that balance natural light with privacy, glare control, and energy efficiency
- Integrate both manual and motorized window treatments across residential units and shared amenity spaces
- Maintain design consistency across large-format windows and high-ceiling architectural features
ShadeMonster’s Scope of Work
Products Supplied and Installed:
Premium ShadeMonster Blackout Roller Shades (white) for all student bedrooms
Premium ShadeMonster 5% Solar Roller Shades in shared living areas for glare reduction and view-through
ShadeMonster Motorized 3% Solar Shades with anodized fascia for lobby, leasing offices, gym, and lounges
Custom engineering of oversized shade systems, including split-panel design for extra-tall lobby windows
Installation planning and execution, including use of scaffolding for double-height spaces
All shades installed in the FIU student housing project are NFPA 701-certified flame-retardant, providing an added layer of safety and helping to prevent the spread of fire in high-occupancy residential settings.
Challenges We Overcame
Electrical access limitations during construction prevented planned hardwiring of motorized shades—ShadeMonster quickly pivoted to a rechargeable Shademonster motor solution, preserving function and appearance without requiring rewiring
Ceiling heights in the lobby exceeded standard reach, requiring a specialized scaffold installation and custom multi-panel shade configurations for seamless coverage
Results
The completed installation met all project goals, delivering a cohesive shading solution tailored to the needs of both students and building management. Bedrooms now feature light-blocking blackout shades that support healthier sleep routines, while common areas benefit from glare control and thermal comfort with high-performance solar fabrics. The use of motorized shades in public spaces not only elevated the user experience but also reduced maintenance needs in hard-to-reach areas.
Importantly, the project’s emphasis on safety was validated in a real-world scenario: shortly after move-in, a fire broke out in one of the units due to an unattended candle. Thanks to ShadeMonster’s NFPA 701-certified flame-retardant fabrics, the fire was contained before spreading—helping protect the property and its residents. This incident reinforced the critical role of performance-driven materials in high-density residential environments.
✅ Over 850 units equipped with custom blackout and solar solutions
✅ Zero installation delays, despite fabric and fire safety changes
✅ Matched finishes across all units for design consistency
✅ Real-time collaboration with Coastal Construction ensured smooth execution
A Partnership with Coastal Construction
Our collaboration with Coastal Construction was essential to the smooth execution of this project. Through constant communication and field coordination, we were able to:
Align product delivery with floor-by-floor construction rotations
Solve site-specific installation conflicts without slowing the build
Maintain accountability and transparency from measurement to final install
Why ShadeMonster
We don’t just supply window treatments—we help build smarter, better projects with:
- Fast response and material flexibility thanks to in-house production
- Problem-solving mindset on fast-moving development sites
- Design alignment without sacrificing timeline or budget
- Trusted by builders and designers to deliver under pressure
Need a shade partner who adapts as fast as your project moves?
Get in touch with ShadeMonster and let’s bring your vision to life—on time, on spec, and without compromise.
Get in Touch NowRequest Samples