Innovative Outdoor Furniture Solutions for a Low-Carbon School

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Belmont Community School, Durham

At Belmont Community School we were tasked with designing, manufacturing, and supplying a comprehensive range of street furniture that meets the functional needs of the campus and enhances its outdoor spaces.

Client: Kier Construction

Sector: Education / Sustainable Infrastructure

Year: 2025

In the car park, we installed Newcastle Monopitch Canopies with integrated photovoltaic panels, providing sheltered parking while contributing to the school’s renewable energy strategy. These are a perfect example of how functional infrastructure can double as a sustainable solution, protecting vehicles from the elements while harnessing solar energy.

Supporting active travel across the campus was another key focus of the project. We supplied a Newcastle Monopitch Cycle Shelter and an Apollo Junior Cycle Shelter, alongside Sheffield Senior and Junior Cycle Racks.

These facilities provide secure, weather-protected storage for bicycles, encouraging students and staff to choose cycling as a sustainable, healthy transport option. By integrating practical and visually appealing cycle storage solutions, the campus promotes physical activity while supporting County Durham’s wider low-carbon ambitions.

To create vibrant outdoor learning and social spaces, we provided Recycled Plastic Alphabet Picnic Units and Brompton Picnic Units. These units are ideal for outdoor lessons and lunchtime gatherings, offering durable, weather-resistant seating and table surfaces that can withstand the demands of a busy school environment.

Complementing these are four FSC-certified Curved Timber Benches, which provide comfortable seating that blends natural aesthetics with sustainable timber, creating inviting spaces for students to relax and collaborate.

Safety and accessibility across the campus were addressed through the installation of twenty-eight door barriers, including four with glass infill, ensuring secure passage and clear boundaries in high-traffic areas. Additionally, two New Forest Shelters provide sheltered outdoor seating for informal gatherings or quiet study, while two large sand pits create imaginative play opportunities for early years pupils, supporting both physical development and creative learning.

All of these solutions were implemented within the context of a truly forward-thinking educational environment. Belmont Community School is County Durham’s first low-carbon school site, featuring photovoltaic solar panels and air-source heat pumps to minimise its environmental impact.

Bringing together secondary, primary, and early years education on a single campus for the first time, the school accommodates 900 secondary pupils and 315 primary pupils. Beyond classrooms, the campus offers extensive facilities including a fitness gym, dance studio, music rooms, a hi-tech drama studio, and a theatre hall co-funded by The Wolfson Foundation.