What was the project brief?
Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire needed a pair of entrance shelters to liven up the ways into its facilities and signpost them to patients and visitors. They would also be useful for shielding people from the rain upon arrival and making the site look more interesting and appealing. The staff wanted two different designs that were tailored to suit both their needs and their entrances, which added some visual flair while still working with the existing architecture through unobtrusive colours. They decided to contact them to turn these ideas into reality.

What was the entrance canopy solution?
Together with the client, they considered various options within the shelter range. They ultimately settled on a bespoke Motiva™ canopy for one of their entrances – this enabled them to diverge from their regular designs and create a model that worked perfectly for their building and requirements. With a Gullwing style polycarbonate roof and specifications of 5400mm X 3200mm, the entrance shelter added a touch of class to the way in with its unusual and modern style. They also installed a Motiva Entrada™ at Great Western Hospital that measured 17900mm X 2600mm. This was a great choice too as its freestanding canopy structure doesn’t interfere with brickwork, and its angled roofline is an attractive addition to any facility that makes the way in impossible to miss.

The team chose slightly differing designs – Anthracite Grey steelwork and an Opal roof for the bespoke Motiva™ canopy and Squirrel Grey steelwork with a Clear roof for the Motiva Entrada™. This provided some welcome, aesthetic variety that also complemented each other and stayed within the realms of a straightforward, appealing colour scheme. Plus, the two canopies were constructed from sturdy materials that could offer excellent protection to anyone arriving at the hospital in bad weather.

What was the result of the new shelters?
Great Western Hospital loves the entrance canopies; they were both able to be tailored to suit the buildings and the team’s vision, so they were just what they were looking for. The shelters are not only high-performance structures that keep out the wind and rain for anyone visiting the hospital, but they have made it easier and quicker for them to find their way in. The interesting designs have also heightened the look of the site without overly drawing attention, especially the Gullwing style bespoke Motiva™ canopy. A&S Landscape were pleased with how this project went and that the hospital’s patients and staff will continue to get good use out of their products.

About the client
Great Western Hospital offers a range of healthcare services to people in the Swindon area and further afield. This includes community and day care services, emergency care, surgery, paediatrics, maternity and diagnostics. For anyone staying at the hospital, the team says on their website that they aim to provide ‘a clean, safe and caring environment that upholds dignity, individual care needs and confidentiality.’ It was a privilege to install two canopies for this client and they hope that their employees and visitors all benefit from them.

Great Western Hospital is situated in Swindon, a thriving town in the South West of England. It features many wonderful outdoor spaces – such as Lydiard Park, Coate Water Country Park and Town Gardens – as well as fun attractions for all ages like STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway and entertainment at the Wyvern Theatre.

Why should healthcare sites consider purchasing a bespoke canopy?
Hospitals, medical centres and care homes are just a few of the healthcare facilities that can benefit from shelters, and all of them can have very different needs. Installing a bespoke shelter can be an ideal way to ensure that a product is exactly the right fit, whether this is to suit a particular building, the size of an outdoor area, or a visual feel that a team wants to convey. So, whether you’re thinking about adding a polycarbonate dining shelter to help staff get some fresh air year-round on their breaks or you need multi-purpose tensile canopy systems for your care home, A&S Landscape can assist you. Just give them a call on 01743 444100 today.

What are the A&S Landscape brands?
They have a wide variety of products which enable them to meet the requirements of clients across many sectors. They offer them in three distinct ranges – the Motiva™, which is their steel and polycarbonate range that includes bespoke options; the Maxima™, their steel and fabric products that include shade sails and umbrella models; and the Cyclo™ range, which features their steel and polycarbonate buggy shelters and cycle stores. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email sales@aandslandscape.com to hear from canopy and shelter specialists.