Freestanding Playground Canopy at Millbrook Primary School

Effective design is important to us. And it’s not just about a product that looks fantastic, it has to also be fit for purpose which was exactly the case when working on this freestanding playground canopy in Barnet, North London.

Project Specification

Product: Motiva Linear™
Size: 10000mm x 8000mm
Steelwork:
- Anthracite Grey - RAL NO. 7016
Roof:
- Opal

When we were called in by Millbrook Primary School they already had some canopies the problem was that whilst they looked ok, they really weren’t large enough to form a suitable covered play space.

We worked with the school to come up with a solution that would be appropriate for its use and ensure that what they received would look great and make a real difference for years to come.

How does outdoor play help primary school children to develop and how can we facilitate this during the school day?

Play is the heart of childhood, when children are well and inarguably being themselves, but for many children the chance to play outdoors, enjoying physical activity and fresh air, is restricted. Today’s generation of children aged 4-11 years spend a lot of hours playing computer games, on iPads and watching TV and so this precious period of activity is more fundamental than ever to counter long hours indoors in front of a screen. Startling recent research show that a third of children play outdoors for half an hour or less in a standard day. That’s less time outdoors than prison inmates get! Of the 1,000 UK families who took part in the survey, 82% blamed the unreliable British weather.

Encouraging more outdoor play is not just about the physical element of their health though. Active play during breaks and lunchtimes are also helping children’s mental health. It teaches them how to talk about their thoughts and emotions and listen to those of others. The practice of expressing themselves, risk-taking and sharing are all important stepping stones on the path to approaching adulthood with the facility to discuss, debate and empathise.

Want to read more? Click here to visit our complete blog post to find out more about the benefits of outdoor play on children.

Adding a Motiva Linear canopy, 10000mm x 8000mm in slick, professional Grey (RAL7016) steelwork with an attractive opal polycarbonate roofing has produced a space at Millbrook Primary School that will last the test of time.

We made sure that we used a wide span canopy, too. This meant we could use fewer uprights, making this a really useable space and totally suitable to play.

An added benefit of using fewer uprights is the reduced risk of playground accidents when under the canopy the space is totally open and the pupils can play freely whilst being protected from the elements, whether that be a little shade on a sunny day or cover from the rain.

“We designed and installed a canopy that was both architecturally suited and well-proportioned for the intended use. In addition, we designed and built a wide span canopy on just six uprights maximising the useable space and minimising the risk of playground accidents. The canopies installed when this school was built were not really fit for purpose, they looked ok but they weren’t large enough for covered play space.”

Staff – Millbrook Primary School

All in all, the canopy we installed at Milbrook Primary School has added a strong, purposeful space that they didn’t really have before.

Read about some of the other shelters we have installed in Shropshire

Meole Brace CE Primary School Add Playground Canopy

In combination with our building contractor client our team built a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Meole Brace CE Primary School Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 4000mm X 3000mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Ellesmere Co-Op Install Straight Roof Shelter to Site

In combination with a specialist firm of architects our engineers produced a straight polycarbonate roof canopy with side panels at Ellesmere Co-Op 25-29 Cross Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire. The full contract involved one bespoke Motiva™ Linear canopy including Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and fitted steel framed polycarbonate side panels.

St Laurence Primary School Add Polycarbonate Roof Shelter

Working alongside our building contractor client our team designed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at St Laurence Primary School – Ludlow Jockeyfield, Ludlow, Shropshire.

Severn Valley Visitors Centre Cover Seating Area With White Canopy

In collaboration with our building contractor client our team designed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Severn Valley Visitors Centre Alveley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 5900mm X 5000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Colourful Shelters Designed for Ark Day Nursery

Working for our building contractor client A&S erected four canopies at Ark Day Nursery Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The contract included the supply and installation of four canopies. One Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 7500mm X 3000mm, one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 9450mm X 3000mm, one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 16500mm X 3000mm and one Motiva™ Cantilever straight roof canopy measuring 3000mm X 1650mm. All canopies included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Hollinswood Primary School Add Large White Straight Roof Shelter to School

Working with a specialist firm of architects we made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Hollinswood Primary School Telford, Shropshire. The full contract involved one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 12000mm X 11000mm including Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish. Also the supply and installation of one glazed panel from the top of the existing building to the top of the canopy.

St Lawrence Primary School Add Multicoloured Play Area Shelter

Working for a specialist architectural practice A&S made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at St Lawrence Primary School Preston-Upon-The-Wealdmoors, Telford, Shropshire. The job involved one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Yellow Sail Shade Designed for Sir John Talbots School And Sixth Form

In combination with a specialist firm of architects our engineers produced a shade sail structure at Sir John Talbots School And Sixth Form Whitchurch, Shropshire. The job involved one 5000mm x 5000mm Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric sail comprising one sail on four uprights including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings with four post protector pads.

John Fletcher Primary School Add Curved Roof Canopy to Play Area

Working alongside our building contractor client A&S erected a mono canopy in John Fletcher Primary School Madeley, Telford, Shropshire. The contract included one Motiva™ Mono monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 10450mm X 2600mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

St Andrews CE Primary School Add Straight Roof Shelter to Site

In combination with our building contractor client our engineers produced a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in St Andrews CE Primary School Shifnal, Shropshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 10200mm X 4000/1200mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.