The Grand is a large-scale fabric canopy engineered to span significant distances while maintaining a lightweight architectural presence. Designed around a hyperbolic tensile form, it provides reliable weather protection across expansive pedestrian routes and communal spaces, making it particularly effective where conventional structures would be visually or structurally intrusive.
Originally developed to link two areas of a newly extended primary school, the Grand demonstrates how tensile architecture can solve complex coverage requirements without compromising openness or daylight.
Delivery informationFind out more
Product Details:
A hyperbolic tensile walkway, the Grand was originally designed for a primary school in which they required a 360m² canopy linking two parts of the newly extended school.
Large Span Fabric Canopy for Extensive Coverage
The defining strength of the Grand is its ability to cover large areas with minimal structural interruption. Steel supports span the full width of the canopy, working in tension with the fabric roof to deliver stability across wide footprints.
This makes it well suited to: • Covered walkway routes between buildings • School canopy installations across playgrounds or circulation zones • Courtyards and assembly areas • High-footfall pedestrian routes on education and civic sites
As a large span canopy, it reduces the need for intermediate columns, keeping spaces beneath clear and flexible.
Hyperbolic Tensile Walkway Design
The Grand uses a hyperbolic tensile form to distribute loads efficiently while creating a visually striking roof profile. The curved geometry provides inherent strength, allowing the canopy to perform reliably in exposed environments.
Design advantages include: • Efficient structural performance over long spans • A dynamic roof form that sheds rainwater effectively • A lighter visual footprint compared to solid roof systems
This approach allows the canopy to function as both a walkway canopy and a defining architectural feature.
Ideal for Education and Outdoor Learning Spaces
The Grand is particularly effective as an outdoor classroom canopy, creating sheltered areas that remain open, bright, and well ventilated. Its scale allows entire classes or groups to gather beneath it, supporting outdoor teaching, assemblies, and social interaction.
Typical education uses include: • Linking new and existing school buildings • Covered play and learning areas • Entrance and circulation routes across large sites
Its form supports movement and occupation without creating enclosed or oppressive spaces.
Materials, Colours, and Finishes
The Grand combines a robust steel structure with high-performance PVC fabric, selected for durability and long-term outdoor use.
Available options include: • Wide range of PVC fabric colours • Powder coating to a broad colour palette • Internal lighting for consistent illumination • Solar lighting where low-energy solutions are required
These options allow the canopy to integrate visually with surrounding buildings and landscape features.
Installation and Integration
A full installation service is available, ensuring the canopy is correctly tensioned and aligned across its full span. The Grand can also be coordinated with complementary site elements such as seating, play equipment, or circulation routes to form cohesive external environments.
It is often specified alongside other entrance or walkway structures to provide continuity across larger developments.
A Confident Solution for Large Covered Areas
The Grand offers a practical and visually compelling fabric canopy solution for projects requiring extensive coverage. With its tensile structure, large span capability, and suitability for schools and public environments, it provides a dependable option for architects and specifiers delivering ambitious covered walkways and outdoor spaces.
Welded end frames and purlin section made from heavy duty box section assembled with anti-tamper high strength bolts
Hot dipped galvanized
Delivery Message
Broxap offer a standard carriage service for all products, this usually takes between 3-28 days as lead times vary on specific products and quantities.
As part of a £3.78m extension and refurbishment project for the Royal Borough of Kingston, Keep it Kool was selected to design and build a 360m2canopy linking two parts of the newly extended school...
