Challenge

Leander was given an architect’s initial outline plans for a sun shelter for vehicles at a resort in the Caribbean, from which it was to develop, manufacture and install a large pergola that could have a canvas roof.

Work undertaken

Working from the initial sketches, the company engaged its specialist engineering consultancy to assist with the structural design work. There were several significant design challenges to address:

  • long length of clear spans between columns (front to back and lengthways).

  • complex curved shape of the beams connecting front to back edges.

  • high wind loadings on the structure (it is a coastal location and the canvas roof would act like an anchored sail).

  • needed to be packed into a standard shipping container for export to the Caribbean.

The shaped beams required specialist fabrication in Leander's workshops near Buxton and a final load test needed to be done prior to acceptance by the engineers.

All parts had to be finished to a very high standard as the structure is a key feature on an exclusive resort.

The final stage of this project involved on-site installation on the small island of Canouan in the Caribbean. Leander's installation team had to prepare as though it was being installed in the middle of a desert and be self sufficient as there were very few specialist engineering services available on the island.