St Mary Magdalene School in Milton Keynes were so impressed with the first canopy that Twinfix designed, built and installed for them that they very quickly requested another!
Like many schools, the staff had some particular requirements to be accommodated: they wanted to include a pathway adjacent to the school at one end and they were keen for the children to be able to use the canopy whatever the weather. With some 24 years’ experience the Twinfix Technical Team had no problems designing a canopy to suit both their needs and their budget.
An obstruction-free footpath was created by offsetting the uprights nearest to the building some 1.3 metres in from the roof edge. The pathway was then defined by installing a colourful fence with a gate access, creating a secure area for play.
One end of the canopy is against a wall so a full height vertical screen was installed at the opposite gable end, constructed from clear 16mm multiwall glazing, with a door accessing the footpath. The screen not only let in lots of light but protects pupils and staff from the prevailing wind. The last element that helped to create an enclosed waterproof play space was to fit five electrically operated roller shutter doors along the 20 metre run. These can be left up when the sun shines and be closed, with the touch of a button, if it is wet or windy. Closing them at the end of the school day also enables the play equipment to be safely locked away.
The 3.5 metre wide duo-pitch canopy is nearly 20 metres long and is glazed with 16mm opal multiwall polycarbonate glazed into the Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF. The opal tint was chosen in order to help reduce solar heat build-up and maintain a comfortable temperature within the canopy whilst the blue powder coated aluminium frame will not rust should it get the odd scratch and it should never require repainting.
As we write this we are now back on site for the third time – this time to install a walkway to connect two of the school’s buildings!
