Wye School in Kent Add Curved Roof Break Dining Shelter

What was the project brief?

Some buildings have special historical or architectural interest, and adding a modern canopy cover can be trickier. That was the case for Wye School, Ashford in Kent, who had an unused area of land on their campus that they wanted to develop. But in order to ensure that the overall aesthetic of the building was not compromised, and to make sure that the award-winning architecture was not spoiled, anything that they added had to be carefully thought out.

With the primary aim of bringing this unused land into practical use as a break time shelter, Wye School already had some ideas of what they might do. But they really needed some expert input to make sure that the final shelter solution was going to be the right size and dimensions, and with the right look, for what they wanted to achieve.

What was our break time shelter canopy cover?

The installation of an outdoor canopy is an excellent way to utilise space that wouldn’t otherwise have any kind of practical use. With a variety of options available, A&S Landscape offers an array of choices for secondary school canopy designs. No matter the size of the plot earmarked for your project, there will be a shelter solution to match.

Taking account of the need for the new canopy cover to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as in keeping with the architect-designed school building, our team put together a design brief using photorealistic software so that Wye School could see exactly what the final shelter solution would look like. The design put forward was for a Motiva Duo™ free standing canopy cover measuring 10000mm by 9000mm. These sizeable dimensions would provide plenty of shelter for the students to enjoy during break and lunchtimes.

The beauty of our photorealistic software means that Wye School were not only able to see what the overall steel shelter frame would look like in place, but also to gauge what impact their chosen colour scheme would have. With a vast range of options for steelwork and roof cover materials, it means that a custom canopy is easily achieved. Wye School selected Squirrel Grey (RAL 7000) for the canopy frame with a simple and understated Opal polycarbonate roof.

What was the result of their break time canopy cover?

There have been many positive impacts resulting from the Wye School canopy installation. First and foremost, a piece of land that had been sitting empty and unused now has a specific and defined purpose.

Secondly, there is a purpose-built area that the school’s students can call their dedicated break time shelter. This maximises the amount of time that they can spend outside, and gives them a novel alternative to indoor seating at lunchtime.

The sleek look of the Motiva Duo™ looks great, and the modern feel of the design fits extremely well with the other elements of this architect-designed site. This product is one that many of our previous clients have installed on their school site, but the design works well in a variety of settings, and for a variety of different purposes.

About the client

The village of Wye, home to Wye School, is located in the Kent Downs. A medieval village with a rich history, you will also find the Wye Crown carved into the hillside above. Originating from the start of the 20^th century, the Wye Crown was commissioned by the agricultural and horticultural college that was once located in the village, in commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII.

Wye School is surrounded by beautiful Kent scenery and is a great location to go to school. As part of the United Learning group, there are even more exciting times ahead for the school’s students. The group have been given approval by the government to open a new Free School delivering sixth form education in the area too.

Why invest in a break time canopy cover?

With a growing body of evidence showing the link between health, wellbeing and the outside environment, creating outdoor break time shelter solutions is a fabulous way to provide more opportunities for your students to get outdoors. But there are other benefits too, including:

• A break time canopy can double up as an outdoor classroom idea. Not only is the fresh air good for overall physical and mental wellbeing, but there is also more and more evidence to support the benefits of outdoor learning for secondary school students too.
• Defining a previously non-descript area of your school’s campus can create a sheltered muster or meeting point. It makes an easily identified area of your campus for students, staff and visitors to meet at.
• And if your school has regular events, fairs or fundraisers, then break time canopy covers can also make excellent event shelters too.

How A&S Landscape can help you

The A&S Landscape service operates from concept right through to completion. We offer:

• Initial project support to identify what your new canopy cover will be used for.
• Site survey and planning and the preparation of computer visualisations.
• Expert design input to make sure that your new shelter solution fits seamlessly into your site.
• Fabrication from UK steel of the highest quality.
• Installation by our specialist, experienced team.

To find out more, fill in our online enquiry form or call our team on 01743 444100.

Learn more about some of our other projects located in Kent

Playground Canopy Designed for Ethelbert Road Primary School

A&S built a curved roof canopy at Ethelbert Road Primary School, Ethelbert Road, Faversham, Kent. The job involved one Motiva Duo™ duopitch curved roof canopy measuring 8000mm X 5800mm, with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Hythe Primary School Add Straight Roof Shelter to Play Area

Our engineers created a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at Hythe Primary School, Hythe, Kent. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 8000mm X 4000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

All Faiths Children’s Academy Install Green Fabric Umbrella Canopy

Our engineers constructed a playground umbrella in All Faiths Children’s Academy Rochester, Kent. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structure supported on a single upright measuring 5000mm X 5000mm.

Four Fabric Canopies Installed at Homewood School and Sixth Form

A&S created four umbrellas in Homewood School And Sixth Form, Tenterden, Kent. The contract included four Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structures each supported on a single upright measuring 5000mm X 5000mm.

St Thomas More Primary School Add Fabric and Polycarbonate Roof Canopies

Our team erected a straight polycarbonate roof canopy and triangle sail for St Thomas More Primary School Sheldon Road, Bexleyheath, Kent. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 7700mm X 2250mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.  One 7800mm X 11700mm X 7600mm Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric triangle sail including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings.