We just got back from a little surf trip down to Costa Rica, where we enjoyed the heat and these amazing fans in the Liberia airport. We'd seen them before, but never blogged the company that makes them, which is based in Lexington, Kentucky (of all places). We thought that this might be a good bookmark for those who are already thinking about next summer. Here's the full story...
Big Ass Fans started in 1999 as HVLS (High Volume Low Speed Fans) making fans that did exactly that. However, no one could remember their name and simpy said, "Wow, that's a big ass fan." So, they changed their name.
To this day they make six- to 24-foot diameter ceiling fans that use their immense size -not speed- to move massive amounts of air over large spaces, and they have outfitted a wide, wide range of spaces, from airports to gyms to zoos worldwide. The nicest thing about these guys is that they are SLOW and quiet and don't whir like a mosquito.
Although these are largely for commercial use, we can see these being very impressive in the right household environment. Below is a pic of their fancier, smaller version, The Element which is "only" 12' in diameter and very cool.
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Comments (5)
well known in commercial design, awesome fans (and they have really cute little donkey animals with "big ass fans" written on them as trinkets for clients).
i was in IKEA when I first saw these. I looked up and started giggling.
Yes -- I've seen this in Ikea New Haven.
I live close to their old office/factory. I remember when they had to defend their large sign to the city council over profanity issues. Some people don't have a sense of humor.
My son is obsessed with pointing these out at Ikea. Just wait until he can read and then they will seem really funny:)