New Hall School, Chelmsford, Essex

New Hall School is the only independent Roman Catholic school in the Diocese and one of the largest and also the oldest of its kind in the country.

With a requirement for significant areas of new external covered space for play, break-out, student activities and dining; New Hall School were looking for a canopy provider that could demonstrate the level of bespoke design and construction capability to deliver on this. Although the canopy projects had been in the pipeline for a few years, the pandemic made the need for covered, well-ventilated space a requirement to enable the safe and orderly return of students to school in September 2020.

An ORION Triple Barrel Vault Canopy provides 660 m² of cover for the Prep Playground creating a genuinely multi-use area for teaching, play and events. The architectural PVC membrane translucency provides diffused natural lighting and the tall centreline creates a spacious feel to the area. The Triple Barrel Vault design ensures that the maximum height of the canopy structure is reduced in keeping with the historic school buildings. Integrated rainwater systems enable maintenance access and the timber post cladding soften the appearance of the structural steelwork.. Rubber crumb surfacing throughout the canopy area provides a safe, clean and visually attractive area for the younger students.

The second ORION Tensile Membrane Canopy alongside New Hall School’s Walkfares Performing Arts Centre is also a triple barrel vault design. At 42 m width and 22 m in length the canopy covers over 920 m² with the entire area surfaced in synthetic turf. Together these canopies create the largest sheltered performance and recreational areas in the School.