Chestnut Grove Academy

Creating a Bespoke Green Roof Canopy

Priding themselves on combining a happy, vibrant and creative learning environment with academic rigour, Chestnut Grove Academy is part of the Wandle Learning Trust located in Balham, London. The school had the goal of creating an external covered space for students, providing them with an enhanced dining, seating and breakout space which would be suitable for use in all weathers.

Working with the school, the Streetspace team designed a stunning triangular Bespoke Green Roof Canopy to cover a total area of 92.84m², creating a flexible covered space with plenty of natural light for the students to use. The canopy was specifically developed with a ‘flying’ central glazed section to ensure maximum light transmission and avoid any feelings of gloominess that can sometimes be associated with green roof structures. Graphite grey facia detail, under cladding and steelwork with timber column cladding provided the architectural finishes complimenting the surrounding academy building design.

The canopy boasts a sustainable biodiverse sedum and wildflower green roof, providing pleasing views from the surrounding classrooms while helping to reproduce valuable habitats and ecosystems often in short supply in urban environments. The sedum provides year round cover while the wildflower display comes to life from April through to September, adding welcome colour and attracting bees, butterflies and a wide range of invertebrates. The introduction of the green roof also helps to create an ambient environment under the canopy while reducing water run-off significantly during inclement weather.

In addition to the green roof canopy, a Centaur CL cycle shelter with cycle stands was also installed providing storage for 20 bicycles, encouraging students to cycle to school while further reducing the carbon footprint of the school.

Read more about our range of green roof structures.