What was the project brief?
Sydenham School in Sydenham, London was looking for a fully enclosed dining canopy done to an extremely high finish. The staff wanted a selection of features to be included in the design to make it usable all year round and adaptable to different seasons – such as lighting and heating which would be useful in the winter, and heat absorbent glass to keep the structure cool in the summer.

Curtain walling and blinds would give it the sleek look they desired alongside modern colours, and plug sockets would allow a myriad of activities to take place inside. They were hoping for an all-purpose shelter that would really bring the wow factor, so they asked for A&S Landscape's expert help.

What was the dining canopy solution?
A&S Landscape looked in detail at the complexities of this project with representatives from Sydenham School, and they decided that the Motiva Expanse™ was the best fit for them. This stylish model was a great pick because of its versatility, options for customising and aesthetically pleasing, asymmetric design. They installed the canopy with curtain walling to enclose it efficiently and doors for easy access for all. They were also able to meet this client’s requests for heating and lighting throughout, which would ensure that cold weather wouldn’t put students off spending lunchtimes inside the dining shelter. What’s more, Opal roofing and Anthracite Grey steelwork gave it an appealing and welcoming feel.

What was the result of the new shelter?
The enclosed dining canopy has hugely impressed everyone at Sydenham School. The high-quality finish was just what they wanted and the custom design created a facility that can be enjoyed on every school day of the year. The heat absorbent glass and blinds were welcome features for the unpredictable British summers, and the staff loved the practical nature of the plug sockets and how the shelter would remain a comfortable area in cold and rainy periods too. It was the perfect space for youngsters to eat lunch and take well-earned breaks between periods of study, and it truly transformed the covered solutions in the grounds.

About the client
Sydenham School offers a broad curriculum that allows students to flourish, while also focusing on the important STEM subjects of Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering. It has a long tradition of educating girls, and aims to help them ‘feel empowered to make their own decisions and to be confident and motivated to learn, to perform and make things happen.’ A&S Landscape enjoyed working with the team here and wish them all the best for the future.

This customer is based in Sydenham, a London suburb offering a balance of bustling city life and relaxing green spaces. Sydenham Hill Wood is the London Wildlife Trust’s oldest nature reserve, where visitors can walk among the remnants of Victorian gardens, while Sydenham Wells Park has a water play area for children and tennis courts to keep adults active too. Plus, there is a collection of pubs and cafés in the area to sate any appetite.

What are the benefits of fully enclosed shelters?
The idea of purchasing an enclosed outdoor space can seem daunting, but there is a huge number of ways in which it can help your staff and students from day to day. These canopies can be cheaper than you might expect, as you can make them more cost-effective by adding side panels and doors to your chosen model. They can be easily customised to suit your requirements – for example, with options for glass or polycarbonate, a wide range of colours from sleek and subtle to bright and fun, and even roller shutter doors available. The area keeps out the sun, wind and rain throughout the year, and it can be used for everything from storage to a handy outdoor classroom shelter or a dining area that opens up space and opportunities.

Whatever you need from your steel canopy, a fully enclosed model can help. Give A&S Landscape a call on 01743 444100 today if you’d like to discuss this in further detail.