The Smart & Stylish School COLA
The MakMax TensoCola Canopy (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) offers an adaptable design that will fit any square or rectangular playground space – designed specifically for schools in mind.
PVC fabric canopies are sun-safe, offering UV Protection for playgrounds. Fabric canopies are much cooler underneath (compared to metal roof COLAs) as well as requiring minimal maintenance.
A pre-engineered structure with the ability to be adapted for any width, length, height and location, the MakMax TensoCola School Canopy is our most popular and versatile shade cover for schools.
The advantages of a MakMax TensoCola;
- Adaptable to Your School’s Needs – TensoCola (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) offers an adaptable design that will fit any square or rectangular playground space – designed specifically for schools in mind. With options for curved cable edges or linear steel edge beam designs available, choose the structure that suits your schools’ budget and needs.
- Sun-safe UV Protection – At almost 100% UVR blocking, the architectural-grade PVC membrane provides a sun-safe outdoor play area for your students. The fully-waterproof material provides rain protection as well.
- Shady Schools are Cool Schools – Tensile membranes reflect a high degree of the sun’s energy, with a low amount of solar absorption. Compared to a metal roof School COLA, a fabric roof does not collect and radiate heat, making the area underneath noticeably cooler. The reflected heat also helps to keep the whole school yard cooler by minimising overall environmental heat buildup.
- Low Maintenance – The durable PVC canopy is supported by low-maintenance galvanised or architecturally painted steel, as well as robust aluminium connections, which offer value for money over the life of the structure.
Key Benefits of a TensoCola School COLA
- Creates a flexible Covered Outdoor Learning Area
- Protects students from UV exposure
- Provides shade and weather protection
- Supports outdoor learning activities
- Increases year-round facility usage
- Improves playground comfort
- Creates additional assembly space
- Custom-engineered for Australian conditions
Case Study
Woodcroft College
The Woodcroft COLA, measuring 25m x 12m, was designed to cover a non-standard play space and allow for an offset from the adjacent building to accommodate existing services.
Case Study
St John’s Primary School COLA
The primary school COLA at St John’s Catholic Parish Primary School is fitted in and around the other school buildings to provide a shaded outdoor playground and sports area.
Case Study
Templeton Primary School COLA
Templeton Primary School has embraced outdoor learning and sport through recent campus upgrades, including the installation of a MakMax TensoCola canopy over its assembly and activity area.
Common TenscoCola Applications
A barrel-vault style canopy which provides a strong, safe structure, the MakMax TensoCola Canopy can be used for a variety of applications;
- Covered Outdoor Learning Areas (SchoolCOLAs)
- School playground shade structures
- Covered assembly areas
- Outdoor classrooms
- School lunch and break areas
- Swimming pool shade canopies
- PE and recreation spaces
- School entrances and porte cocheres
- Outdoor locker protection
A School COLA that’s engineered for peace of mind
With qualified engineers and designers on staff, we can adapt your MakMax TensoCola Canopy to fit the space required.
Engineering integrations can include;
- Choice of architectural fabric canopy; HDPE Mesh for shade-only or waterproof PVC or PTFE.
- Options for catenary cable edges or linear steel edge beam designs available.
- Higher or lower sides to accommodate adjacent buildings.
- Additional awnings or membrane sections to weatherproof access to the under-canopy area.
- Reinforced steel supports in high wind zones.
- Guttering / drainage to redirect water to storm water runnoff or rain water tanks.
Why Schools Choose TensoCOLA Covered Outdoor Learning Areas
Australian schools are increasingly investing in Covered Outdoor Learning Areas (COLAs) to maximise the use of outdoor space throughout the year. A TensoCOLA canopy creates a flexible, weather-protected environment that can be used for outdoor learning, assemblies, recreation, lunch breaks and school events.
Unlike enclosed buildings, a tensile membrane COLA provides natural light and airflow while delivering protection from sun and rain. This creates a more comfortable environment for students, teachers and visitors while expanding the school’s usable footprint.
Whether installed over a playground, assembly area, lunch space or outdoor classroom, a TensoCOLA canopy helps schools create attractive multi-purpose facilities that support learning, wellbeing and community engagement.
TensoCola FAQ's
Why is the TensoCola Canopy ideal for schools?
TensoCola creates versatile, weather-protected spaces for learning, assemblies, recreation and events while maximising usable outdoor area.
Are tensile membrane School COLAs suitable for Australian weather conditions?
Yes. Tensile membrane roofs are engineered for Australian conditions, providing excellent protection from sun and rain while creating a cooler, brighter environment than many conventional metal roof shelters.
Will a TensoCola help reduce heat in outdoor areas?
Yes. The membrane fabric reflects solar radiation and diffuses natural light, helping create a cooler and more comfortable space beneath the canopy.
Does a TensoCola provide UV protection?
Yes. A tensile membrane fabric school COLA provides high levels of UV protection while still allowing natural daylight to filter through.
Can a TensoCola be installed over an existing sports court?
Yes. TensoCOLA structures are commonly installed over basketball courts, multi-purpose courts, assembly areas, playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces.
How large can a TensoCola Canopy be?
Each TensoCola school COLA is custom designed and can be tailored to suit anything from small outdoor play spaces or lunch areas to large covered courts and assembly areas.
Is a tensile membrane roof durable?
Yes. TensoCola structures use high-performance architectural fabric and engineered steelwork designed for long-term performance in Australian conditions.
What is the difference between a tensile membrane school COLA and a metal roof COLA?
A tensile membrane school COLA provides softer natural light, reduced heat build-up, fewer support columns and a more architectural appearance than traditional metal roof structures.
Is a fabric roof school COLA better than a metal roof school COLA?
For many schools, yes. Fabric roof COLAs typically provide a cooler, brighter and more comfortable environment than traditional metal roof shelters while delivering excellent shade and weather protection.
What fabrics are used in a tensile membrane roof?
MakMax mainly uses architectural-grade PVC for fully weatherproof school COLAs and high-strength HDPE shade mesh for shade-only structures. For school COLA’s in bushfire-prone areas or for COLA’s used as designated emergency meetings points, we would recommend an upgrade to PTFE which has a much higher fire-rating.
Why do schools choose a fabric roof COLA instead of a metal roof shelter?
Many schools prefer fabric roof COLAs because they are cooler, brighter, visually attractive and can provide large clear-span spaces with fewer columns.
Why choose MakMax for a TensoCOLA project?
MakMax specialises in the design, engineering and construction of tensile membrane structures, delivering customised COLA solutions for schools across Australia.
Would You Like More Information About The TensoCola Canopy?
Contact us today to discuss your project requirements. We are the market leader in the design, engineering, fabrication and installation of custom fabric structures for a wide variety of applications and industries. We have extensive project experience and offer endless possibilities when it comes to custom design solutions to meet your needs.