Solar Canopies Improve Carleton High School’s Outdoor Space
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Co-op Academy Manchester Installs a Canopy for Outdoor Dining
In Higher Blackley, Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester is one of the largest secondary schools. The academy has room for 1,650 students, however it only accommodates about 1,610 kids between the ages of 11 and 16. The school is part of The Co-operative Academies Trust, which has strong community values in many regions.
Project Overview
Motiva Duo™
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Steelwork:
Anthracite Grey - RAL NO. 7016
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Roof:
Opal
We already collaborate with a number of schools in the Trust, including Co-op Academy Failsworth. Because we had worked together for so long, we knew what they wanted and expected.
To keep students content during crowded break times, the Manchester site needed a big outdoor dining canopy.
Challenges
- Not enough shelter at busy times: With more than 1,600 students, the outdoor areas got packed at lunchtimes.
- Weather in Manchester is unpredictable: Rain and wind often forced students to stay inside, which made things crowded.
- Lots of traffic near the dining areas: Thus staff needed improved flow and safe supervision.
- Consistency across the Trust: The academy wanted a canopy that looked like the existing structures at other Trust sites.
The school desired a solution that was sturdy and easy to use all year round. They also needed a clean style that went with their modern structures.
Our Dining Canopy Solution
A&S Landscape’s first steps in its development process included a comprehensive site evaluation and detailed planning sessions to understand how the student body moves around during lunch in order to locate an ideal location for the canopy. As a result, the canopy is situated in an area that minimises the impact on school operations and allows everything to proceed much more efficiently.
We designed, manufactured and installed one Motiva Duo™ canopy with a steel frame. The canopy was made to an overall size of 20,000 mm by 10,000 mm, which is 200 square meters of covered space.
The canopy has a duopitch curved polycarbonate roof with an opal finish. RAL7016 Anthracite Grey was used to finish the steelwork so that it would complement the academy buildings. We also added Alu-Tuff™ aluminium gutters and downpipes that match the Dura-Coat™ finish.
Key Features and Materials
- Structure: An all-steel framework covered in Dura-Coat™ RAL7016 Anthracite Grey to protect the colour and strength of the frame over time.
- Roofing: Poly-tuff™ opal polycarbonate roof panels let light in yet cut down on glare.
- Guttering: Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile gutters and downpipes that match the colour of the structure and discharge 50mm above the ground.
- Sides: The open-sided design lets in natural light and keeps sight lines clear.
- Flooring: The existing surface is prepped to fit, and if needed, Quartz Safety Surface™ resin flooring can be added for an optional finish.
Results
- Better protection from the weather: Students are now dry and comfortable when it rains and winds.
- Improved use of space: Students can eat outside all year round.
- Less crowded corridors: Fewer students swarm the hallways when the weather conditions are terrible.
- Better supervision: Staff have good visibility of the students using the open-sided canopy.
- Consistency across the trust: The design is in line with other Co-op Academies Trust sites.
Conclusion
Co-op Academy Manchester now boasts an outdoor dining area that is safe and inviting. It keeps students safe from the weather and makes it easier for them to travel around the site every day.
Our continued partnership with The Co-operative Academies Trust gave us the confidence to do what we said we would. Every day, the project helps keep students healthy and staff in charge. We are happy to offer a solution that keeps the academy a great environment to learn and work.
