Able Canopies Ltd

Prior Weston Primary, located in the City of London, required a large south facing free standing canopy that would create solar energy for their school whilst also protecting their pupils from the elements. Able Canopies designed and installed a variation on the Kensington Dual Pitch, incorporating IPV (Integrated Photovoltaic) solar glazing panels into the roof panel design to provide a solar power facility for the school.

Prior Weston Primary, located in the City of London, required a large south facing free standing canopy that would create solar energy for their school whilst also protecting their pupils from the elements. David Everett, the school’s Business Manager contacted Able Canopies for a free site survey and quotation as he had seen a Shade Sail array that we had installed at Richard Cloudesley Special School which is situated on the same site as Prior Weston Primary School.

The BriefQueenborough School and Nursery in Kent were looking to upgrade their outdoor space to create an all-weather outdoor learning and play area adjacent to one of their classrooms. As such, they contracted Carré Consultancy to source a supplier to help them create this new area and they chose Able Canopies.They wanted to create an outdoor area which could be used all year round. This created some challenges; outdoor spaces can become wet and slippery during rainy periods and too much exposure to UV rays can be harmful to our health.The SolutionThe staff at Queenborough wanted the area to look good whilst also offering functionality for lessons and play. As such, we proposed a 17.04m x 4.65m Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy that was supported by rear steel goal posts as the supporting wall was not suitable for a wall mounted structure. It was agreed that the canopy should feature side fills on both ends to block wind driving in from either side of the canopy and would be enclosed along the front with secure roller shutters and commercial fire doors. As we offer the whole package, we were also able to include the supply and installation of soft play safety surfacing underneath and leading to the canopy.

Redriff Primary School is a large school in Southwark, London that teaches children from the age of 3 to 11. In July 2013, they contacted us because they required a wall mounted timber canopy to be installed in their playground that would enable their children to play and learn outside all year round.

Jerram Falkus contacted us as they were working on a project for Roding Primary School in Dagenham, Essex. The school, which is set to be one of the biggest primary schools in the country, was having a new extension built onto its new site and required a number of new canopies to provide shade and shelter for various parts of the school site, including a covered walkway between buildings.

RSA AcademyLocation: Tipton, West MidlandsProduct: Bespoke Double Grange Free Standing CanopySize: 24.7m x 12mFrame Colour: Basalt Grey (RAL 7012)Estimated Value: £80,000Installation Date: August 2014The BriefRSA Academy had a large outside dining area in the grounds of their secondary school in Tipton, West Midlands, yet it had no cover from the weather and could not be used on rainy or very hot sunny days. In order to gain as much use from this area as possible, they contacted Able Canopies and invited us to design a product that would provide the cover required, whilst also integrating well with the school’s exterior aesthetics.The Solution After completing a full site survey, it was established that a number of options were possible to fulfil the school’s needs that would also create a stunning structure with the wow factor.We put forward two designs. The first was a bespoke Double Grange Free Standing Canopy with a gullwing roof that would we could neatly install in the alcove of their existing building. The other was for a number of single and double Ulverston umbrellas with waterproof tensile roofs.The school chose the first option of the Double Grange Free Standing Canopy as it would provide uninterrupted cover from the weather to a large expanse, and would match the style of the building, keeping a sharp, well-defined modern appearance. We designed and installed a bespoke central post with central guttering in order to achieve the gullwing roof as desired. The 35mm structured polycarbonate roof panels also provide in excess of 98% protection from harmful UV rays which was an important feature of the shade and shelter structure as requested. The canopy frame was to be powder coated in Basalt Grey (RAL 7012) to match the window frames of the building that the canopy would be installed adjacent to.We were able to provide the school with superimposed images of the canopy, so they could pass them to the school governors for final approval. The Installation The canopy installation was booked for the summer holidays as requested by the school in August 2014 and a pre-site commencement meeting was carried out in July to finalise the installation details and address any health and safety issues. This ensures a smooth installation and enables us to address any potential issues before arriving on-site.The installation went ahead with no problems along the way and all involved were pleased with the end result.

Portakabin Ltd. were working on a project for Servicecare Support Services Ltd. to install a temporary canteen and locker room facility. They required the extra building space so they could continue to operate whilst adhering to social distancing measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.Alongside the temporary building, they were in need of a wall mounted canopy along the right elevation to provide weather protection above the main entrance to the building that leads to the corridor.Able Canopies have been working with Portakabin for a number of years, adding shade and shelter structures to their temporary buildings. Although our canopies are permanent structures, we have designed above ground planter pads and special wall brackets to enable us to install the canopies and take them down when they are on longer required.These adaptions have been designed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy and have been successfully used for many years now. The staff at Portakabin therefore put the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy forward to Servicecare Support Ltd. who were pleased with the design and specifications and were happy to go ahead with the installation.The final design was 10m in length with a 3m projection to cover the whole span of the temporary building and provide the weather protection required above the entrance.

Solihull Hospital in Solihull, West Midlands, required a canopy to cover their outside ramp area that houses their waste bins, laundry bins and recycling compacters. They were in need of a structure that would be fixed to the building with a water tight seal and that would block the rain from entering the area, keeping their staff dry whilst also preventing ice from building up on the ramp which currently creates a slip hazard.

The BriefPG Marshall and Sons Ltd. were working on a project at St Helier Hospital for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. They were relocating the Davis (outpatient) unit which included a portable building that required weather protection over the disability access ramp and pathway leading to the unit.They also needed the canopy to connect the Davis Unit to Ferguson House (the main building), which already had a small cantilevered canopy that the hospital trust were keen to keep in place.The SolutionThe two buildings that required connecting via a canopy had a fairly awkward space in between due to the buildings not being equally parallel to one another. Following the original design drawings, it was clear that the perfect solution would be the popular Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy.

The BriefIn August 2016, we were contacted about a new build and enclosed link walkway project at St John’s School in Enfield. We were invited on board at the point where the local planning department had declined the initial design for a space between two school buildings. We were tasked with providing the shelter required for the space and to use our Kensington Mono Pitch Canopy (which most closely matched the planning requirement) to make it happen. This is significant because the area was one where we would not normally propose using the Kensington system.

Speltham Contacts Ltd. contacted us because they were working on a project at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. They were undergoing a big extension to allow them to cater for 105 extra children. Morgan Carn Partnership Architects who were also working on the project, specified a curved free standing timber canopy with a polycarbonate roof system and aluminium guttering.

Adcrest Ltd. is an electrical contracting company that was working on a new refurbishment project for Stables Market in Camden, London. Stables Market was in need of a number of new awnings to provide weather protection to the entrances of their shops. They had existing awnings in place that had been there for a number of years and were no longer fit for purpose and therefore needed replacing.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council were working on a multi-million pound regeneration project called The Works. This exciting project would transform the ruins of the old steel works land in Ebbw Vale into a vibrant and distinctive area that would bring long-term benefits to the local community, creating an exciting place to live, learn, work and play.

https://www.ablecanopies.co.uk/c/wall-mounted-canopy-case-studies/the-wyvern-school-kent-second-case-study.html

Thomas Ferens Academy required a large amount of sheltered cycle storage at their academy in Hull, East Yorkshire. This academy was built on the former Princess Elizabeth Playing Fields and opened in September 2012. It is one of the 19 new or refurbished schools delivered by Hull Esteem Consortium, the organisation appointed by Hull City Council to carry out the city’s Building Schools for the Future programme. To accommodate their cycle storage needs they required three large compounds for secure cycle parking and a large number of additional cycle racks.

The staff at Thundersley Primary School required a large, versatile walkway at their school to create a covered pathway between two of the school's buildings. This covered walkway would allow pupils and staff to travel easily between the two buildings whilst providing shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. Due to the location of the two buildings, the walkway needed to incorporate two corners in order to link the buildings effectively.

The Director of Tiptoes Day Nurseries required weather protection structures at a number of their locations in Hull, East Yorkshire and one of those locations was Tiptoes Nursery in Willerby in Hull.Upon completion of the site survey we could see that the Coniston, which they originally chose, was the perfect solution for the area they were looking to cover. It was advised that due to the size of the canopy and to provide added protection from driving rain, that they add infill panels to either side of the canopy. Infill panels are a cost-effective addition to the Coniston yet makes a substantial difference.The Coniston is a popular canopy within educational settings as it provides protection from all weathers including the rain, the sun’s UV rays and the heat from the sun, providing a cooler area underneath, and cooler classrooms that have windows where the canopy is situated.To save on costs, we suggested that the projection could be reduced slightly without causing a big impact on the size of cover required. However, a 5-metre projection was a must have for the nursery because they had existing softplay flooring in place and wanted the canopy to cover the width of the spftplay for a seamless finish. Although this impacted the cost, it was worthwhile as you can see in the photos it looks like the flooring and canopy were a part of the same design.The canopy was installed within 4 days as scheduled and went ahead with no issues along the way. The staff at the nursery were pleased with their canopy which covers 114.5 square metres and can now make use of outdoor play and learning all year round, benefits both the staff and children in their care.

NBDA Architects were working for Parkdean Resorts to renovate a number of their holiday parks across the UK and one of those parks was Trecco Bay in the stunning costal town of Porthcawl in South Wales. They were in need of a large shade and shelter structure that would provide weather protection to their visitors whilst dining alfresco and also double up as an all-weather outdoor entertainment area.The canopy they settled on for Trecco Bay was the Tarnhow Dome, which is a fantastic choice. This stunning canopy can span up to 12 metres and has an unlimited length, making it absolutely perfect for outdoor dining areas and for holding events and entertainment.

Mildren Construction Ltd were working constructing Uckfield Retail Park; 41,000 sq ft development at The Ashdown Business Park in East Sussex totalling £15m. Each unit had already been pre-let to M&S Food and Home Bargains and as part of the development, they had a requirement for a cycle shelter adjacent to the soon to be Home Bargains store.

The BriefWeald of Kent Grammar School were having some building works completed at their school in Tonbridge, Kent. As part of the renovation, they wanted to create an outdoor space which would be protected from the weather whilst still keeping an open and airy feel to the area which would be used to extend their dining area into the outdoors all year round.  The SolutionAfter looking through our product portfolio, they could see that the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy would be the perfect solution, the addition of polycarbonate side panels and doors, similar to our modular outdoor classrooms, would provide the full weather protection required, whilst still having full visibility inside and out.

Wexham Hospital in Slough, Berkshire required a freestanding entrance canopy installed at the entrance to their A&E department. This canopy would provide cover to those entering and exiting the building, ensuring the internal floors were kept as dry as possible. The hospital staff were also finding that stone chippings were being brought into the building and flicking up into the mechanism of the electronic doors, resulting in the motors burning out and so a solution was also needed to solve this issue.

White Spire School is a special school for all ages in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Mr Wilson, the Assistant Head Teacher called in with an enquiry for a large canopy. He was looking to create a large covered area in their playground that they could use as an outside gym all year round.

Hartshill Medical Centre – Nuneaton, WarwickshireClient: Malvern Homes Ltd.Contractor: Enrock Construction Ltd.Architect: Hayward ArchitectsProduct: Kensington Mono-Pitch Freestanding CanopyFrame Colour: RAL 9004 Signal Black (matt finish)Size: 3.1m x 1.5m with hip into 1.41m x 1.5mInstallation Date: March 2023The BriefHartshill Medical Centre in Nuneaton, Warwickshire is a £3m state of the art practice that was opened in early 2023, replacing the much smaller, nearby Chancery Lane Surgery.We were approached during the early stages to tender for an entrance canopy which would provide shade and shelter above the main entrance.The SolutionHayward Architects who were designing the project, asked us to submit a quote for a Kensington Mono-Pitch Freestanding Canopy in an L-shape, so it could follow the outline of the entrance.We provided them with a price as requested, and also alternative costs for two more cost-effective canopies for comparison and choice. The alternative canopies we quoted for was the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy and the Kensington Junior Wall Mounted Entrance Canopy.As a result of conversations with Enrock Construction Ltd. and Hayward Architects, they opted for the Kensington Mono-Pitch Freestanding Canopy which they preferred from the initial enquiry. This was because they really wanted a canopy with supporting rear posts for ease of install and to reduce strain on the building.The Kensington Junior doesn’t have supporting posts and the Coniston has a difference appearance to what they first had in mind including front posts, making both unsuitable for the design.The Kensington Mono-Pitch Freestanding Canopy was therefore the perfect solution; it is very popular within commercial settings including hospitals, medical centres and hospitality venues and has a stylish, high-class appearance with a robust construction to compliment the design. It can be covered with toughened glass panels which adds to the aesthetics, or 5mm solid, clear polycarbonate which mimics the glass appearance.The order was placed in February 2023 for a 3.1 metre x 1.5 metre canopy with a hip, enabling it to follow the external corner of the entrance, into a 1.41 metre x 1.5 metre canopy.InstallationJust one month after receiving the order, we installed the door canopy within four days as scheduled. It was powder coated in RAL 9004, Signal Black with a matt finish to coordinate with the building’s windows.The end result looks fantastic and really sets of the main entrance of the brand-new medical centre which will serve patients for many years to come.