Cherrybrook Custom COLA
Project Details
Location: Cherrybrook, NSW
Completion Date: January 2022
Size: 635 sqm
Fabric: PVC - Mehler FR700N
Client: NSW Department of Education
Photography: © Al Morris
The Cherrybrook Custom COLA (covered outdoor learning area) is a 52m long bespoke fabric structure designed to provide covered access to classrooms. The high and open-air walkway canopy doubles as a covered outdoor learning area and assembly point for the school.
The Brief
The design brief for this project was to design and construct a waterproof soft covered shade structure with an approximate coverage area of 52.6m x 13.6m. To create an aesthetically pleasing addition to the school campus, MakMax proposed an undulating canopy with alternating high/low columns on the outer edge of the structure.
The Concept
The covered outdoor learning area/walkway features inverted light droppers with dimmable LED light fittings to create a bright and inviting entrance to the school for evening activities, as well an integrated PA system for school announcements. The school fitted a large screen display to a wall at the of the COLA, which provides further connectivity for the large school population, offering a weather protected area for the school to live-stream full school assemblies.
The Cherrybrook Custom COLA canopy is clad in white Mehler FR700N PVC and the steel supporting structure is hard-wearing and corrosion resistant HDG (hot dipper galvanised). The canopy includes colourbond gutters and downpipes to prevent rainfall runoff impacting students and classrooms.
The Result
Completed over the summer break in 2022, the covered outdoor learning area created by the custom shade structure proved to be an invaluable open-air resource space during the final turbulent months of the COVID pandemic response – allowing student to social distance safely in an weather protected area.
