Eating outdoors is one of the simple pleasures in life, and more and more schools are recognising the important positive impact that dining outdoors can have on its pupils.
With the longest break in school being the lunch break, an outdoor dining area is a great solution to encourage al fresco dining. Not only can students benefit from additional outdoor space, it means that they aren’t cooped up inside for hours on end.
Luckily for you, here at A&S Landscape we offer outdoor dining canopies that don’t just look good but provide excellent practical value by keeping students safe and protected from harsh weather conditions.
If you are a senior school and you want to encourage outdoor eating, this handy blog will explain 5 of the best benefits of an outdoor dining area. Let’s delve into it!
The Benefits of an Outdoor Dining Area
There are plenty of benefits from eating outdoors, such as spending more time outside which can lead to better mental health, and increasing capacity if your school has a crowded dining hall.
Let’s have a look at some of the most important benefits that a covered outdoor dining area could have on your school in a bit more detail.
Increases Socialising
Having a specific outdoor eating area can create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, one that is much more inviting and exciting than a normal school canteen. This can encourage students to interact and connect with each other outside of lesson time, increasing sociability and fun.
Eating outdoors can feel far less formal than indoor dining, making it easier for students to play, chat, and interact with each other. Whether they are enjoying a meal together or observing the weather, students can share their experiences and thrive in a much more relaxed environment.
Provides Extra Space
An outdoor dining room could also help your crowded school. A lot of primary and secondary schools struggle to accommodate pupils at lunchtime due to a lack of space and ever-growing class sizes. Therefore, an outdoor dining area takes away some of the strain on indoor canteens.
By adding an outdoor dining room, it decreases lunch time queues and helps to alleviate overcrowding in indoor dining halls, especially during peak meal times. Your outdoor dining canopy could also be used for other purposes, such as outdoor learning when it is not being used for eating and dining.
Boosts vitamin D
There’s no denying that being outdoors, especially when it is sunny, is the main source of absorbing vitamin D. Eating outdoors provides a natural opportunity for students to spend more time in the sun (if we actually get nice weather!) compared to being indoors all day.
Unlike indoor canteens, outdoor dining areas lack barriers that can block sunlight, such as walls or windows. Even if it isn’t sunny, being exposed to natural settings and fresh air can do wonders for our mental health, so the more time encouraged outdoors, the better!
Enhances Learning
The more time children spend outdoors, whether that is learning or eating, the more they become accustomed to it, promoting a good relationship with nature at an early age. Outdoor learning should be encouraged to promote better well-being, increase productivity and spark creativity.
Adding an outdoor dining area creates a space for pupils to be educated about the direct benefits of being outdoors. Spending time among nature, whether that is only during their lunch break underneath a dining canopy, exposes them to the outdoors and encourages them to explore their surrounding.
Adds Flexibility
An outdoor dining area can also be incredibly flexible. Its main purpose is to provide a safe space for pupils to dine beneath during lunch and break times, but they can also be adapted and used for other purposes, such as outdoor learning, and storage solutions.
At A&S Landscape, we are proud to offer completely bespoke canopies, customisable by your ideas. We understand that every school has different needs that might not be met by standard offerings, which is why our bespoke solutions are ideal.
So, no matter what features you want your outdoor dining area to have, we’ve got you covered.
Outdoor Dining Areas are the Solution
Now that you know the key benefits of a covered outdoor dining area, you might be interested in installing one for your school.
Luckily for you, A&S Landscape has an impressive range of outdoor dining canopies that can encourage your pupils to socialise and embrace fresh air. As we’ve mentioned above, the benefits of eating outdoors are endless, so it’s only right that you invest with us for the highest quality and premium installation.
Let’s have a look at some of our most popular outdoor dining areas on offer!
The Motiva Expanse™
One of our most impressive canopies, the Motiva Expanse™ is the future of outdoor school dining. Choose from a standalone or attached structure, and a range of extra features such as flooring, lighting, heating, and seating.
This extraordinary structure is made from steel and finished with a Dura-coat™ colour, allowing extra accommodation for hundreds of pupils. If your lunch times seem crowded and you don’t have any extra space, definitely consider this expansive structure.
Modern Motiva Vista™
One of our latest additions to our canopy selection is our Motiva Vista™ design. This canopy is popularly used as an outdoor dining area, creating a versatile space that can be used throughout the year no matter what the weather.
This contemporary design comes with a wide range of side panel and door options, as well as clear or opal roofing, wall brackets, and wide-span beams. As well as exposing pupils to vitamin D on sunnier days, this design is completely snow-safe and wind-proof, so your pupils can enjoy outdoor eating even on cooler days!
Curved Motiva Duo™
The ‘Duo™’ is our duopitch (symmetric) curved roof variant where both sides are at the same height. This is the most common configuration for standalone structures or structures that are against low roofline buildings, making them ideal for covered walkways, playgrounds, and outdoor dining areas. Similarly to our other modules, this design is snow-safe and wind-safe, meaning that pupils are safely sheltered while eating their lunch.
This modern design and symmetrical shape add a contemporary feel to your outdoor area, as well as letting in tons of natural light for a bright and inviting atmosphere.
How an Outdoor Dining Canopy Helped One School
Laurus Cheadle Hulme in Greater Manchester added a dining canopy to provide a separate open space for children to spend break times.
The secondary school wanted a large dining shelter to reduce pressure on its other facilities during break times and give its outdoor areas a significant boost. They wanted it to be impressive and offer real appeal to new and current students, as well as being weatherproof and allowing children to enjoy the outdoors all year round.
Read the full case study here!
Enjoy Outdoor Dining in all Weathers With A&S Landscape
Hopefully, this guide has taught you all you need to know about eating outdoors and the benefits of an outdoor dining canopy. Not only do they encourage pupils to get outside and embrace fresh air, but they also act as a social area and extension if your school is more on the crowded side.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team. We’d be more than happy to get back to you, no matter what your enquiry is.
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