Avis Canopy, Heathrow Airport
Peter Dann was asked to provide an exposed steel canopy to shelter Avis customers whilst awaiting collection by the courtesy bus. The structure was to visually enhance the entrance of the headquarters building, and provide a focal point for users.
Due to the need to separate the two structures, the canopy was designed as a pure cantilever, gaining no support from the main building. Raking circular hollow section columns reflect the angle of the existing glazed façade and the main beams are curved to provide clear headroom for courtesy buses. Drainage was achieved via a concealed gutter.
A primary design feature was the limitation of deflection and the damping of dynamic response under wind loading conditions. Feature joints on the raking columns were positioned to allow maximum prefabrication of steel elements due to imposed transportation constraints.
