Two recent installations demonstrate the variety of awnings and shading products offered by AEL Solutions

AEL Solutions, the manufacturer and supplier of outdoor furniture, shade and shelter, was involved in a prestigious project recently in London’s Kensington Gardens.

Each summer the Serpentine Gallery, based within the famous park, commissions and erects a temporary Pavilion to operate as a public space, a café and as a venue for Park Nights, the gallery’s programme of public talks and events which attract up to a quarter of a million visitors. In 2010 AEL Solutions installed the awnings on the Serpentine’s Pavilion, designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel in a vivid red chosen to reflect the colour of London’s buses, post and telephone boxes. 

This is just one of the large and bespoke projects AEL has been involved in over the years. Others include the Westfield shopping centre in London and the refurbishment of a former auction house in Bath transformed in 2010 into brewer Hall & Woodhouse’s flagship bar/restaurant.

AEL has supplied Stobag awning systems across the UK for over five years. This includes all sorts of shading products and awnings for wide and varied applications from sun and weather shade to high street applications for branding advertising purposes. The company works within many marketplaces from education to private or commercial use. The education market uses awning systems to provide shade and shelter so children can play safely outside without the worry of harmful UV rays; all of AEL’s fabrics are UPF 50+.

One of AEL’s main marketplaces is the supply and installation of products into the commercial sector from hotels and restaurants to cafés, retail operations and public houses. The products installed are used to provide shade and shelter for customers but also to help the premises stand out from the crowd. An awning with logos, text or visuals can lift the front of a building and really change its appearance aesthetically, which can help market the business and promote anything from opening times to product offers while raising brand awareness. Many companies spend a lot of money on advertising and if they can then be easily picked out of a busy high street it makes it more worthwhile.

Most awnings installed into commercial environments are motorised and operated via a remote control. This extends the warranty and life expectancy of the awning and ensures that is it kept in good condition for years to come. AEL also installs wind sensors on many projects, which retracts the awning automatically if the wind speed exceeds a preset level. This also further extends the warranty of the product.

For every project AEL site-surveys to ensure that all will go smoothly in practice and can produce layouts for discussion or permissions. When products are to be installed onto listed buildings or are within sensitive areas, superimposed visuals can be produced to help with the process.

AEL can manufacture to any colour reference for the materials or aluminium and often makes bespoke metalwork to aid or complement an installation. Innovative in its thinking and approach to design challenges and structural issues, AEL is able to overcome these often with stunning results.

• AEL Solutions