As a result of an internal competition set by the Directors for our design team, we now have a very smart new cantilevered canopy fitted over our building entrance.
The brief was to create something to replace the corroding steel canopy that had been part of the new building when we moved in during 2000. After 16 years it was really looking its age and did nothing to enhance our reputation as the one-stop shop for canopies!
The winning canopy was created by Russ Ellery whose design is cantilevered off two round aluminium columns that are fixed tight up against the building to keep the area underneath as free as possible. Aluminium is generally our number one choice for structures as it is such a versatile product to use, its light and easy to transport and move around, there’s tonnes of it readily available in the earth’s crust, it can be recycled again and again – and it doesn’t rust in use. What more can you ask for? The aluminium was powder coated to RAL 7015 matt to match the building’s window frames. Two stainless steel tension rods were fitted diagonally from the columns to the semi-circular shaped roof below which was glazed in virtually unbreakable 6mm solid opal polycarbonate.
As part of his entry Russ produced visuals of the canopy from various angles as well as a video fly over that he created on 3DS Max software. This wasn’t used as an entry for Grand Designs, but it did form part of our package to gain approval from our landlord, Birchwood Park Estates, for installation of the new canopy.
Well done Russ on a great design – we love our new entrance canopy!
- Our new cantilevered entrance canopy
- Russ Ellery, our winning designer
- Work In Progress: the old canopy has been removed
- And here’s the new one
- The aluminium is powder coated to match the window frames
- Glazed with 6mm opal solid polycarbonate
- The first of Russ’s animations
- Looking good
- And a close up
- Showing another angle
- Russ prepared this last year during our 25th anniversary
- A winning design