Oxclose Community School, Tyne & Wear

Oxclose Community School, Tyne & Wear

Client: Sunderland City Council
Type of works: design and build of a tensile fabric canopy covering a drop-off and pick-up area.

Oxclose Community School is a specialist performing and visual arts college based in Washington, Tyne & Wear.

As part of a refurbishment programme commissioned by Sunderland City Council, J & J Carter was appointed as specialist contractors for the design and build of a tensile fabric canopy to a drop-off/pick-up area to the exterior of the building.

J & J Carter used a structure from their Membrane-Lite range of off-the-shelf solutions. Typically manufactured from either mild steel or high grade structural aluminium alloys, the structures are supplied with a high quality PVDF lacquered PVC-coated polyester membrane, and can be modified to fit in with the required specification. In this case the canopy was built on a curved run, therefore accurate surveying after casting the holding down bolts was essential to ensure good fit. The steel frame is also hot-dip galvanised prior to painting.

A spokesperson for J & J Carter said: “Our Membrane-Lite structures are ideally suited for meeting points, shading purposes, walkways, entrances, car parking shades, and covered seating areas, especially in circumstances where budgets are restrictive in terms of bespoke design and build.”