Great Academy Ashton in Greater Manchester Adds Fabric Canopies

What was the project brief?

Great Academy Ashton in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester was searching for a set of twenty shade sails that it could divide equally across several different areas of its grounds to revolutionise their atmosphere and offer exceptional shelter. They wanted to create pockets of colour with different roofs for each smaller collection of canopies, and they wanted them to be fun places for students to socialise outdoors in all seasons. We thought this proposal was truly exciting and we were thrilled to be able to bring it to life.

What was our canopy solution?

We worked closely with an architect on this project to fulfil the school’s needs. The team there chose twenty of our Maxima StarSail™ models, which have the longest guarantees in the market and easily refresh areas outside with their fun, breezy look. On their request, we built four groups of five canopies, each with one of their carefully selected roof colours – Blue, Porcelain Green, Boulder and Poppy. Paired with Anthracite Grey steelwork, the canopies made their spaces brighter and the varied shades made them look more visually interesting. The shade sails didn’t disappoint on shelter either, as they offered relief from the sun and rain with their durable fabric, so the children could chat with friends or take a break in the fresh air year-round.

What was the result of the new shelters?

Great Academy Ashton has fallen in love with its A&S Landscape canopies. The four areas with five shade sails throughout the grounds are now more modernised and enjoyable places to be, in summer and winter alike, and the facilities are great selling points to prospective students. The contrasting roof colours look wonderful next to the site’s existing architecture and being able to get outdoors more often during term time, thanks to the shelters, is beneficial for everyone’s wellbeing. This was a large and challenging project for us, and it was wonderful to collaborate with the architect and staff to find a solution that worked for everyone.

Testimonial

“Really pleased with the finished product, everyone who we have worked with has been professional and a pleasure to work with.”

• Great Academy Ashton

About the client

Great Academy Ashton teaches over 1,300 young minds from Years 7 to 11 through its highly dedicated, supportive and expert staff. It serves the people of Ashton-under-Lyne and the nearby areas of Oldham, Manchester and Tameside. Also, it boasts an exceptional £43 million building and outstanding facilities for both its students and its community in drama, music, sports and art. We found the team to be very welcoming and amenable, which made this project a particularly pleasant one to undertake.

This client is located in Ashton-under-Lyne near Manchester, the only UK city in National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World’ list of 25 must-see places to visit globally. It is a great destination for families with attractions like Play Factore and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, as well as for those interested in history and culture with attractions such as John Rylands Library, Manchester Art Gallery and the Imperial War Museum North.

What other kinds of fabric canopy does A&S Landscape offer?

Fabric shelters are popular with our customers because of their versatility, their appealing designs and the way they meet almost anyone’s need for outdoor covered solutions. In addition to the Maxima StarSail™, we have a further range to explore.

• Maxima Sail™ – our eye-catching, classic shade sail product can have various shapes, configurations and colours, and these are only limited by your imagination.
• Maxima Tepee™ – our modular design can come in sizes from 3 metres up to 15 metres to suit many outdoor spaces. Its minimal uprights and integral gutter system are fantastic additions for customers who want practicality and simplicity at the forefront of their new canopy.
• Maxima Umbrella™ – we typically supply our smart, commercial-grade umbrella design with waterproof PVC fabric to keep everyone dry on rainy days.
• Maxima Parasol™ – sometimes referred to as giant umbrellas, jumbrellas or pub umbrellas, our quality parasol models are collapsible, strong and cost-effective. They can even come with lighting or heating for additional comfort when dining outside in cooler months.

Do any of our tensile fabric canopies sound like the perfect solution for you? Talk about them with us today by calling 01743 444100 or emailing [email protected].

Where can I find answers to my shelter questions?

The prospect of buying a steel canopy or sun canopy can be a daunting and complicated one. So, if you have a query about our products or work, head to our frequently asked questions pages to find answers. Our team is here to help you with any further questions – simply call us on 01743 444100 when you’re ready.