Has your school been considering a much-needed upgrade? School refurbishments are the way forward and are a great way to spruce up any weary or dull areas. Over time, even the best school facilities can start to show their age, impacting everything from energy efficiency to the overall learning experience.
At A&S Landscape, we believe that a school’s learning environments play a pivotal role in student success and well-being. The solution? A bespoke school canopy! In this blog, we’ll delve into some practical tips and innovative ideas for a school refurbishment project, helping you to create modern and engaging social areas.
Let’s get into it…
5 school refurbishment tips to bear in mind
A school refurbishment isn’t just about making things look new; it’s an investment in your school’s future. Whether you’re looking for ideas for a primary school or a senior school, paying attention to small details can ensure that everything goes smoothly! Here are some things to consider:
1. Build for adaptability
School renovations aren’t usually a one-off project – unless you’re after one of our outdoor canopies! Your renovation should contribute towards a longer-term vision of your school’s overall design. It can be helpful to identify any future construction plans and work them into your plan. School construction also often only takes place within that narrow window of summer holidays. That’s why at A&S Landscape, we complete many of our installations throughout term time as our operations team is able to work around all site constraints.
You should also consider other factors such as accessibility and who will be using your renovation. In most cases, that’s all the members of staff and pupils. However, you might also want to bear in mind how you can create outdoor learning spaces for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
2. Keep colours in mind!
While the actual construction of your renovation project is important, it’s also crucial to think about how you want your finished design to look and what colours to use. Here at A&S Landscape, we have some of the widest ranges of colours available in the industry. Colours can profoundly affect mood, concentration, and the overall atmosphere within a learning environment. The colours of your extension or shelters should complement the overall aesthetic of your school.
If you’re after colours that are full of energy and want to spark creativity, then you might be interested in our colourful roof canopies. A blend of bright colours can add feelings of joy and excitement to an outdoor area, particularly for young children.
3. Let in natural light
Letting in natural light offers many benefits, such as improved mental well-being. Lots of schools are finding more ways to incorporate natural lighting into their classrooms as well as making the most of their outdoor areas. Many of our canopy designs come with wide open space beneath them, meaning that children have the freedom to play outdoors and are still exposed to fresh air. However, we do have plenty of canopies with sides that offer a bit more support, while still being able to let in natural light due to their wide, spacious windows.
Choosing materials like polycarbonate roofing ensures that your new outdoor learning classrooms or covered walkways remain bright and airy, connecting students with the outdoors without sacrificing on lighting.
4. Make it comfortable
Another essential thing to consider when taking on a new school refurbishment project is making your space comfortable. This should be a given, especially if you want it to become a popular area where students and staff members can socialise, learn, and play. Adding comfortable furniture and seats designed for sitting for long periods of time can help students enjoy the learning process a bit more.
You should also consider things like temperature control, air quality, and protection from the weather. We’d recommend one of our school shade sails – they offer plenty of benefits, but are mostly known for their superior UV protection.
5. Safety first
Safety should always be a major priority when it comes to school construction and renovations. Whether it’s simple design additions or a big installation, being careful and following the correct health and safety rules is crucial. A school environment, by its nature, houses a very large number of children and adults, so it’s imperative that every decision you make prioritises their well-being and security. We would recommend conducting a thorough risk assessment to ensure that your new installations meet or exceed your current safety regulations and building codes. At A&S Landscape, once your project has been passed over to our operations team, the dedicated project manager will run through all elements on-site that we need to be aware of to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Our structures have also been designed to withstand local weather conditions, from heavy winds and rain to harsh UV rays. We use robust, high-quality materials and use experienced professionals to install all of our projects, who adhere to the strictest safety protocols.
Is a canopy part of a school refurbishment?
Yes, installing a canopy can be a major school refurbishment project. In fact, it’s quite a common addition during renovations to create covered outdoor spaces for various purposes, such as play areas, walkways, or dining areas. A canopy is a great refurbishment choice and offers an immense range of benefits for your school, including:
- Additional space – Canopies provide covered outdoor areas that can be used for various activities, expanding the usable space of the school without the need for major construction.
- Weather protection – They offer shelter from the sun, rain, and other weather elements, allowing for outdoor activities to continue regardless of the weather.
- Cost-effective – A canopy can be a much more affordable alternative to building extensions for creating sheltered spaces.
- Versatile applications – An outdoor canopy can be used as outdoor classrooms, play areas, dining areas, covered walkways, and much, much more!
How one school’s renovation project transformed their outdoor space
Paulet High School, in Burton-upon-Trent, added an enclosed canopy that could expand their indoor capacity and an overcrowded dining hall.
After working with us, our team settled on the Motiva Expanse™ structure, as this would support their capacity while offering flexibility and comfort in all seasons. This canopy provides a dedicated dining space with excellent protection from the outdoor elements, ensuring seamless access in all weather conditions.
Read our full case study here!
Upgrade your school’s outdoor area with a bespoke canopy from A&S Landscape!
Hopefully, these school refurbishment tips and ideas have sparked your imagination and have you feeling inspired to transform your outdoor area. With the right planning and the right partners, your school can offer a wealth of incredible benefits.
At A&S Landscape, we’re passionate about creating inspiring outdoor spaces. With nearly 50 years of experience, we can help you integrate practical and aesthetically pleasing solutions into your refurbishment plans!
Ready to discuss your vision? Then get in touch with us today.
