Hampton Gardens School in Cambridgeshire Adds Enclosed Dining Canopy

What was the project brief?

Hampton Gardens School in Peterborough wanted an expansive enclosed dining canopy to create a fantastic new facility where the school community could congregate all year round. It needed to have easy access for all, plus side panels to protect students from the cold and the unpredictable British weather when eating their lunch or being taught outside. It was also essential that it looked the part for this relatively new build with its modern architecture and grounds, so the staff thought it should have an attractive design to match. They got in touch with us about this project and we were delighted to use our expertise to build the exact canopy they desired.

What was our enclosed dining canopy solution?

We worked with their team during the planning application for this shelter, helping them with drawings and planning advice. This resulted in a 20000mm X 15000mm Motiva Duo™ which made for a truly effective dining canopy installation, thanks to its ideal configuration for standalone structures and its duopitch roof. Glass side panels let in lots of light for an airy eating area and they could keep out the elements – especially useful on rainy or wintery days. What’s more, we added two sets of double doors with Signal Orange steelwork to reflect some of the colourful design elements of the other buildings and allow students and staff to enter with ease. For the steelwork of the shelter frame itself, Hampton Gardens School chose Slate Grey. This had an appealing, contemporary feel, emphasised by its Opal roof.

What was the result of the shelter?

The enclosed dining canopy has been a success at Hampton Gardens School. It has transformed the grounds and built somewhere with many purposes that can enhance the students’ daily lives – whether they’re simply eating with friends, or even exploring another side of their curriculum via an outdoor classroom shelter. The size and design are impressive and can accommodate a significant proportion of the institution’s population, making it a facility for all to enjoy in all weather. It was wonderful to see the impact our product had on this school, after having assisted them from planning application stages all the way through to installation.

About the client

Hampton Gardens School opened in 2017 to teach children from the communities in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire and Hampton, Peterborough. This 21^st-century build boasts modern facilities such as a 3G all-weather sports pitch, an amphitheatre, and a range of science laboratories including a specialist ‘show lab’. It says on its website that the team ‘passionately believe that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed, whatever their start in life’. We enjoyed aiding them in finding their ideal new facility.

This customer is situated in Hampton, a developing township in Peterborough. The city itself has plenty to offer all ages, including nature reserves and parks connected by its 45km Green Wheel cycle trail. Water sports, axe-throwing and skydiving will keep thrill-seekers happy, while food and drink lovers can explore independent eateries and micro-pubs. Plus, festivals such as the Heritage Festival, Italian Festival and Peterborough CAMRA Beer Festival attract thousands from across the UK to this bustling destination.

What options do clients have with enclosed shelters?

Perhaps you represent a school looking to find a multi-purpose play and dining area or a business in need of some secure storage space. Whatever your needs, an enclosed canopy can help with its many available options for personalisation. You can cover one or every side with glass to let in sunlight or, alternatively, polycarbonate for a colourful feature – you can even come up with your own design such as a bright landscape on printed polycarbonate, which is fantastic for making primary school environments more creative. Electric roller shutter doors can be useful for safety and convenience, and shutters for these shelters can also come in perforated or part glazed options based on your preferences.

Get in touch today at 01743 444100 to discuss your future enclosed canopy structure with our friendly, knowledgeable team.

What’s my first step if I’m considering installing a shelter?

We’re happy to help you start creating a vision for your new canopy, no matter how early in the planning you are. If you get in touch, we can give you a better understanding of the benefits, functional possibilities and design options, as well as how our projects work. Plus, we’ll use our no-nonsense advice to assist you in making the right decision, without any obligation or commitment required from you. Email us at [email protected] to get started.