Overview

The Cranbrook Primary School, on the site of the old Port of London Authority Sports Ground, is one of two new schools recently built in Redbridge to meet the growing demand for school places in the south of the Borough. The council wanted to provide a multi-functional canopy that would serve as a walkway between classrooms, as well as providing outside learning and play areas and shelter for waiting parents.

The PLA site is a mixed development incorporating the new primary school, extensive external sports facilities managed by the Council and a privately run leisure facility.

Design solution
Whilst the canopy structures had to be freestanding, it was important they integrated with the adjacent buildings. This was achieved through clever use of colour: matching the masts and caps of the canopy with the colourful 'tiles' on the buildings fascia. The remaining steel framework was left white, so it would ‘disappear’ into the white canopies.

The 11-bay conic canopy, over 65m long, was a simple adaptation of the original 9m x 6m Signature Structure. A similar modification was applied to a 5-bay conic, installed alongside several regular 9m x 6m double conic entrance features, resulting in an inspiring and consistent look across the project.