Outdoor Classroom:

Retractable Shade
By Eva Brandis, Jessica Stewart, Collin Tarleton, and Andre Ng

Survey
Purpose: collect data to find what qualities
San Marin students and teachers would
want in an outdoor classroom
data/conclusions:
65% teachers/52% students quiet
61% teachers/55% students shaded

Location Choice

Front View

accessible
Behind cafeteria
& art buildings
wi-fi

Side View

trees
aesthetics
block wind
open space

Interior
2- sided teaching
whiteboard
whiteboard
tableslight/moveable
seatsstumps/benches
Page 1

Shade Structure Blueprints

<=
page 3:
side
view

<=
page 2:
top view

Building Connections

poles are 2 ft underground with concrete

wire connections (pg.4)
bracket connections

Pulley Retraction System

Bench and Table Blueprints

Page 5: benches

Page 6: tables

Materials
https://docs.google.
com/spreadsheets/d/18FQn5prH6FYOLOkiX96J9QdZr9fuKhgkit8j6DmqD4/edit#gid=0

link- materials list with quantities and

pricing
Total cost: $2504.11
Budget: $3000
Room for overage: $375.14

Why These Materials?

Pressure treated wood - no rotting,

sturdy
Tree stumps - no cost
Emt pipes - sturdier than pvc pipes
Wire/connectors will pull taught

Sunbrella
Waterproof, mold proof,
mildew proof, sun
damage proof
Long lasting
Visually appealing and
attractive

Building Plan

1. trim two low hanging

branches of the oak
tree
2. place structure poles
3. outer frame (2x4s &
4x4s)

Building Plan (cont.)

4. string poles across wires/ assemble

end connectors
5. attach wires
6. lay/staple weed cloth
7. spread wood chips
8. assemble and place tables/benches

Scale Model
Differences:
5 emt poles
per section
benches are
bigger
connectors
fit on emt
pipes
wire- taught

Why Our Design?

Retractable ceiling- all sun angles
Whiteboard tables
Waterproof surfaces
whiteboard tables
Benches- waterproof coating

Why Our Design? (Continued)

Students face north so the sun is on their backs
Trees
block the wind coming from the west
block sun
Convenient location
Fits 32 students