Overview

Teachers, pupils and their parents are celebrating the latest addition to the playground at Loughton Manor School, MK. A 4m x 4m barrel entrance feature sets the scene for the bespoke, curved structure at the rear of the school, with coverage of over 80m2.

The school needed a shade solution to enhance their playground, provide a safe environment for teaching and play, whilst blending with the existing building design. Fabric Architecture liaised closely with Architecture MK of Milton Keynes Council to design, manufacture and install the structures.

A relatively new build, the school has contemporary features, including large arched entrances, elongated roof lines and feature windows, giving the internal spaces of the school a light and airy feel. This was the essence of the design approach for the external fabric structures.

The additional challenge for the large clear span canopy was to keep the area below free of supporting steelwork and potential trip hazards. A low level boundary wall offered a useful barrier to locate the front supports, with the rear supports hidden in the corners of the building. The canopies oversail the roof, to minimise any inclement weather blowing into the play area.
The steel framework was colour matched to the existing window frames and guttering, blending the structures together as if an integral part of the building's design.

The project took only 16 weeks from point of order to completion of the installation, which took place during the school's half term break. The installation of both structures took 4 days on pre-cast foundations.