Shelters
External shelters are becoming more popular as architects aim to increase the provision of weather-protective canopies and walkways, expanding away from the building and making greater use of the outside space all year round.
These are covered units used for outdoor teaching, entrance canopies and dining areas, and offer shelter from the elements. Waiting covers, buggy parks and smoking areas also provide specific requirements and we have a range of these available too. Our external shelters include timber shelters, steel shelters, or shelters using tensile fabric components. We also have a range of solar shades to protect buildings and classrooms from the sun’s glare. All our shelter designs have been subject to wind, snow and imposed loadings calculations, carried out to BS EN 1991 Eurocode 1 (EC1 – Parts 1-1, 1-3, 1-4) and are fit for purpose. Also because most of our systems are modular, it’s extremely flexible and enables us to provide bespoke structures at a low cost.
Classroom Extensions
Extending the classroom space into external areas creates a usable sheltered area linking the outside with inner learning environments.
Outdoor Teaching Units
Teaching outside gives pupils a change of environment to help boost their learning. These units provide pupils protection from the elements.
Covered Walkways
With large sites, external routes are needed between buildings and covered walkways provide sheltered pathways to these areas.
Entrance Canopies
Create a welcoming statement with an entrance canopy or provide shelter from the weather when entering or leaving the building.
Waiting Shelters
Sometimes the weather doesn’t wait for home-time and parents need a sheltered place to wait for their child at the end of the school day.
Buggy Parking Shelters
Parents with younger children may need to lock up or store their buggy or pram when at the school and a buggy parking unit is just the place.
Gazebo Shelters
This hexagonal gazebo shelter is a perfect place for an external lesson. Taking learning outside but still sheltered from the elements.
Solar Shading Units
While providing shelter from the rain pupils also need protection from the sun and solar shading canopies provide a cooling shady spot.
External Dining Shelter
With shelter from the rain and the sun rays, these tensile canopies or polycarbonate shelters make a suitable external dining area for picnic tables and benches to be located.
Seating Area Shelters
There is nothing worse than a wet seat and covering a selection of benches or seating with shelter will provide dry seating all year long.
Smoking Shelters
With smokers being moved outside, smoking shelters, for employees, the public, university students or teachers, are used to provide a designated smoking area.
Social Space Shelters
Shelters don’t have to have a specific dining or educational purpose. Providing sheltered social areas for pupils to meet, converse and relax is also important.