The University of Birmingham in the West Midlands Add Entrance Canopy

What was the project?

To design a bespoke entrance canopy for the University of Birmingham in the West Midlands.

What was the problem?

The University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, West Midlands, is one of the UK’s original red brick universities. However, there wasn’t a fitting entrance way to welcome students and staff into the main building. A&S Landscape was asked to create, build and install a bespoke entrance canopy that provided shelter, looked great, and didn’t detract from the original architectural features.

What was our solution?

An entrance canopy was added to the university. The canopy was constructed from chic-looking Graphite Black steel and topped with a clear polycarbonate roof. This provided a contemporary and practical walkway that kept the rain off and complemented the existing architectural style.

What product did we use?

The product used was Motiva Linear™. This is a straight roof design that’s created from a solid steel framework. This particular product was tailored to the university using Graphite Black steelwork with a tough, all-weather, Dura-coat™ finish.

What was the result?

Everyone entering the University of Birmingham is now met by a stylish, weather-protected canopy. It gives students and staff further pride in their place of learning as well as welcoming guests and prospective students who are visiting the university for the first time. The entrance canopy has also become a place for students and staff to shelter and socialise before attending lectures.

A little bit about the client…

The University of Birmingham is one of the country’s top educational establishments for Arts, Law, Engineering, Science and Public Research. UoB is also one of the UK’s original red brick universities and holds pride of place within the affluent area of Edgbaston in the centre of the city.

We were incredibly impressed by the history and culture of the facility as well as the obvious pride and passion held by the staff (including Professor Deborah Youdell), students and local residents. Everyone we encountered whilst installing the entrance canopy was polite, friendly and very welcoming. It’s a real pleasure to know that we’ve become part of such a historic institution.

How do universities use canopies?

Colleges and universities require canopies for all manner of reasons. That’s why it’s important to supply a wide range of styles and aesthetics to suit all purposes. From covered walkways and outdoor dining extensions to cycle shelters and canopies for sports facilities; there’s no limit to how canopies can be used to enhance life on campus.

Creating more outdoor space is vital for students wishing to get the most from their time at university. Communal areas, such as canteens and common rooms, can become real social hubs and ease the pressure on overcrowded dining halls during busy lunchtime periods.

Sports facilities are often state-of-the-art and creating a protective cover allows students to access these areas all-year-round and relieve the pressure from indoor facilities. Also, universities will often hire their outdoor sports pitches to the general public for an extra source of revenue. It’s important to have these areas open throughout the winter to make the most of the extra income.

First impressions are also key to prospective students and other guests. Creating more outdoor space by covering walkways between lecture halls and extending dining room areas really does ensure visitors are seeing the campus in the best possible light. There’s nothing worse than keeping your head down and ducking out of the rain when you’d much rather be admiring the architecture.

The declining state of student mental health at universities is another area where more outdoor space can be of real benefit. Students need to be encouraged to get outdoors and thrive with nature as much as possible. Although they may not always be surrounded by countryside and wide-open spaces, there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside on campus. This is why the need for sheltered canopies is such an important part of living a happy and healthy life away from home.

Straight roof canopies are the most efficient method of providing protection against already existing buildings. These are ideal for creating covered outdoor concourses as well as sheltered seating areas for break and lunchtimes. The straight roof canopy variant we use is a monopitch which has one side slightly higher than the other. This lets the rain run off without affecting the overall look of the clear polycarbonate roof.

Whether it’s for outdoor space to have lunch, a stylish new entrance, or to provide a covered walkway between lecture halls, a canopy can have a really positive impact on a university’s grounds.  If you’re looking for more reasons to create a canopy on your campus, these testimonials are from already satisfied school, college and university representatives.

How A&S Landscape can help you

No matter what your reason for wanting to add a canopy to your university, A&S Landscape are on hand to help you with initial queries right the way through to the completed build.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience, you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. As a family-owned company, we like to put our relationship with the client at the forefront of everything we do. Communication is the key to our success, and we can design, create and build outdoor coverings to suit all manner of spaces and facilities. We work within a variety of public and private sectors including hospitality, garden centres, parks & public spaces and senior schools.

We know that whatever you’re looking for, we can help you choose the perfect canopy, shelter or shade sail solution to enhance your establishment and increase the benefits for all concerned. Our commitment to quality at affordable prices is second-to-none and we still have the same drive and enthusiasm for our wide range of products as we had more than three generations ago.

If you’d like to find out more about how we work with key decision-makers, local authorities and educational establishments please don’t hesitate to call a member of the team on 01743 444100 or email us at [email protected].

Continue reading about more of our projects located in Birmingham

Al-Furqan Primary School Add Straight Roof Shelter

Our team constructed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy with roller shutter doors at Al-Furqan Primary School, Tyseley, Birmingham, West Midlands. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 14000mm X 3000mm complete with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish. and with coloured polycarbonate. Also included was one 4000mm wide operated roller shutter door to front elevation and glazed panels to side/front elevations.

Cantilever Style Canopy Designed for At Anne’s Catholic Primary School

We created a curved roof canopy in St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Lowe Street, Birmingham. The full contract involved one Motiva Cantilever™ curved roof canopy measuring 6500mm X 3500mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and three post protection pads.

Wheelers Lane Primary School Create Outdoor Area with Shelter

Our engineers created a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Wheelers Lane Primary School, Kings Heath, Birmingham. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 5900mm X 4000mm and included our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Red Wave Roof Canopies Designed for Great Barr Primary School

We designed three waved roof canopies at Great Barr Primary And Nursery School Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham. The job involved suppy and install three Motiva Wave™ monopitch curved roof canopies. One measuring 11300mm X 2930mm, one measuring 14300mm X 4230mm and one measuring 27500mm X 3200mm. All canopies included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Rubery Nursery School Add Straight Roof Shelter to Playground

Our team made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in Rubery Nursery School Rednal, Birmingham, West Midlands. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 14000/9000mm X 3000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish along with dismantling and removal of existing structures.

Fabric Sail Shade Installed at Thornton Junior School

Our engineers erected a shade sail for Thornton Junior School, Ward End, Birmingham, West Midlands. The contract included one Shade Cloth Fabric including for tension mechanisms.