Ysgol Dinas Bran in Denbighshire Add Umbrella Canopy

What was the project brief?

With an underused area on their school campus, this Welsh school decided it was time for a revamp. Ysgol Dinas Bran, located in Llangollen, Denbighshire, knew that this revamp needed to take account of the fact that the area in question was exposed to the worst of the weather’s elements.

Their ultimate plan was that this substantial area of land on their campus would be brought in to practical use as a picnic area. The area of block-paved ground was a little un-loved and they knew that to make it attractive and protect it from the weather, they would need some help to design the best possible shelter solution. That’s when they contacted A&S Landscape.

Ysgol Dinas Bran had also wanted to utilise the window of opportunity to build their planned canopy installation whilst the school was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What was our picnic canopy cover solution?

Our professional team worked closely with Ysgol Dinas Bran to outline plans for their shelter solution. Once a design had been agreed upon, we were able to work within government requirements to ensure the construction team worked safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19). This worked perfectly to deliver the final canopy installation ready for when students returned to school.

The final design option chosen by Ysgol Dinas Bran was for a fabric umbrella canopy cover. With a great range to choose from, this style of canopy cover works very well as a picnic area shelter solution. For this project, our Maxima Umbrella™ was the perfect choice for creating both a design statement and a practical solution. With a generous area of land available, we were able to install a canopy cover that measured 5000 mm by 5000 mm. This created a substantial area of shelter, ideal for the installation of picnic benches beneath, in a location that was previously over-exposed to the weather.

There are a number of additional benefits associated with our umbrella canopy products that make them an even more attractive proposition. Normally supplied with a waterproof fabric, they are a durable and effective shelter solution. With the option to select both steelwork and fabric colours from our extensive range, it is easy to generate a truly custom canopy design. The choice that Ysgol Dinas Bran made was for a Slate Grey (RAL 7015) canopy pole and fixings, with white canopy fabric.

What was the result of their new picnic canopy cover?

By using the smart combination of Slate Grey steelwork and white canopy cover fabric, Ysgol Dinas Bran have created a light, bright space for students to use at break and lunchtimes. This contrasting scheme has created an attractive new space that offers excellent shelter from the worst of the Welsh weather. From a completely underused space to a practical and attractive designated picnic area, Ysgol Dinas Bran has transformed this space beyond recognition.

About the client

Surrounded by the beautiful rolling Welsh countryside, Ysgol Dinas Bran is located in the small town of Llangollen and is in a prime position to allow students as much time as possible in the outdoors. Located in Denbighshire, an area of North East Wales that boasts everything from beautiful countryside, to lovely market towns and even seaside resorts, it’s certainly a wonderful place to grow up. If anyone were in any doubt about the beauty of the local area, a quick watch of the town’s official YouTube channel will set them straight! It’s certainly understandable why Ysgol Dinas Bran school wanted to create an outdoor picnic area.

The Ysgol Dinas Bran campus is large and sitting in a hilltop position, it’s in a unique location. While the outside of the school speaks for itself, inside they also pride themselves on offering students a wide array of facilities. The site is fully networked, meaning that there is computer access throughout. Every aspect of school life is catered for, including breakfast which is served from 8.15 am in their Castle Restaurant. Their design and technology centre also provides opportunities for students to get involved in everything from catering, Computer Aided Design and textiles. With sports and science also featuring significantly, there really is something for every child at Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Why invest in a picnic area canopy cover?

Your school doesn’t have to have the stunning scenery that Ysgol Dinas Bran has to benefit from a picnic area canopy cover. And whether you have a plot similar in size or smaller, there is likely to be an ideal shelter solution perfect for your school site too. In addition to the health benefits of encouraging your students to get outdoors more, you too can benefit from the following:

• A cost-effective way to put into use a tired or neglected corner of your school site.
• The opportunity to consider installing something more substantial like a covered outdoor dining area.
• A great way to increase the amount of practical, multi-functional space on your school campus.
• A flexible option for creating additional space, that can be mixed and matched or extended at a later date.

How A&S Landscape can help you

Get access to our professional and friendly team and their extensive knowledge of canopy covers by completing our online enquiry form. No matter what initial questions you might have about the canopies that would work for your school campus, or even about the installation of picnic benches for schools, we’re here to help. With over four decades in the business, there’s nothing that we don’t know about the logistics of installing canopies on school sites! Prefer to talk on the phone? No problem, just give us a call for a chat on 01743 444100.

Take a look at more of our projects located in Wales

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