Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Canopee?

A Canopee is an environmentally-sensitive, technologically-smart shade structure using natural foliage combined with an innovative element of urban art and sculpture.
Urban Canopee’s expertise lies in the design, engineering and installation of lightweight composite structures in “gridshell” patterns. These structures are then used as support for climbing plants to grow and flourish. The plants’ optimal growth is assisted by a proprietary smart connected irrigation system.
Canopee originates from 15 years’ experience in innovative building materials research and engineering on light structures at the Navier laboratory from the prestigious Civil Engineering School ParisTech.
The Canopee shape is inspired by time proven shapes found in the natural world such as flowers and mushrooms. It is a solid design providing symmetrical weight distribution.

Tech

What is the Canopee Made of?

The lightweight funnel shaped structure is made of composite glass fiber rods. The base of the Canopee is a mix of galvanized steel and powder coated steel.

How does the cooling effect work?

It is a combination of two things. Fristly, creating shade blocks the sun rays to hit the ground directly. In that way, creating shade creates cooling. Cooling also happens through evapotranspiration. The water travels from the pot to the leaves for photosynthesis purpose. Some water droplets are also realeased in the direct vicinity of those leaves creating a cool micro-climate. So all around the trees or the plants, ther is increased humidity in the air, which ends up cooling the air.

How does Canopee help the environment?

Creates shade areas combating heat island effects Creates a green canopy over public spaces, roofs and facades Re-establishes urban biodiversity in locations where it has typically not been possible Improves air quality Uses renewable power (solar) Optimisation of water storage and use

Installation

How long does it take to install?

Canopee is brought to site, assembled, elevated, anchored and commissioned in a day (with the exception of multiple units).

How many days to install a canopee?

The installation happens in two phases. You've got the first phase, which is typically if a foundation is required, the second phase is about foundations. Then the actual canopy installation is done in one day in and out.

How definitive is it ?

We've got two models of canopies. One that it needs foundations anchoring and everything's above ground so it can always be removed, but you end up with a process that is not that simple to move and you end up with a base underneath a canopy that is not that appealing.
Otherwise, the other option is to have the free standing version, which is designed to be completely free standing and relocatable. So you've got four cliff pockets built into it. it that allows you to move it at will

Is the Canopee self supporting or does it require a fixed footing?

Canopee requires minimal floor space and is modular, autonomous,relocatable and with very little to no impact on the environment. Canopee is designed to be self-balancing and free-standing, however anchoring will be required for most installations.

How is Canopee fixed to the required surface?

Canopee generally needs to be anchored via bolts / fixings. Dependingon ground specific topography, different anchoring methods are used. The structure’s weight distribution and anchoring will be engineered for each project, taking into account site specific conditions. Wind and tear-off resistance are thoroughly checked through design and engineering-certified calculations to ensure compliance with local regulations.

What if the surface slopes?

Installation would be dependant on meeting the required engineering solution. A Canopee can be installed without any adjustment on a slope of up to 5% gradient. Past that threshold, some means of leveling will be required.

Pricing

How much for a project?

It obviously depends on the size of the canopy so the small canopy retails for $20 ,000 the large one for $35 ,000. You then need to take into consideration what foundation you're gonna do typically adding about $10 ,000 installation delivery. So you're looking in between $30 ,000 and let's say $50 ,000 for a single canopy and then obviously the more expensive it gets.

How much does Canopee cost?

For the large (L)-size Canopee. RRP is around $29,900 (exc. GST) plusinstallation. Installation costs will vary depending on the projectspecifications based on one day to install a single Canopee unit.

Maintenance

What about the maintenance

The canopy itself doesn't require any maintenance as in the structure itself. However, it won't require maintenance of the plants. The plants need irrigation. We look after that with in -built design. solutions but maintenance or end the pruning and the fertilization is very very important. We offer that as a service or the client can directly make that happen if they have the sufficient amount of horticultural knowledge.

Who maintains the Canopee?

Maintenance program through Urban Canopee in relation to complexcomponents including grid shell structure, Sensopee and solar panels as well as plant growth.

Plants

How are the climbing plants for the Canopee selected?

Plants are handpicked according to the local climate and environment as well as their ability to secure themselves and grow on the peculiar Canopee structure as well as their abilities to flourish in a potted environment. The shortlisted plant species fulfill three major functions to fight heat island effects. The reflection of solar energy (albedo) drastically reduces heat storage in the ground The creation of a large green canopy cover providing shade natural air-conditioning through evapotranspiration of the plants, cooling the surrounding air volume The open nature of our structures also allows for optimal air flow through it the ultimate selection process will be done in partnership with the client to decide on deciduous vs evergreen, flower colors, flowering patterns, overall appeal, targeted biodiversity etc.

How do you choose the plants?

Combinations of two main factors. So through our research, we've identified the main criteria that the plants needs to take in order to be a plant suitable for the canopy structure. So that is the starting point and then we look at the local climate in the area where the project is being installed and with a combination of those two factors we handpick a list of suitable plants that are fast growing and are going to cover the canopy as soon as possible.

Options

What options do you have?

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Can Canopee be used for lighting?

Yes and can be adapted for plant growth over time.

Competitors

Why do you do that

The goal is to really accelerate the greening and the shading of those areas that are difficult to green. And so the goal is to have as many canopies as possible out there to make our clear cities more climate resilient and to reconnect people with nature.

Who is your main competitor

We don't really have direct competitors.We have somewhat competitors in a shae sail or tree but what we provide is truly innovative.Not having any direct competition.

Compliance

Is it dangerous in a children playground? Like how can you get back in school?

It's not dangerous by any means. The challenges could be around little kids getting their fingers trapped into a structure somehow. We cater for that.

How about wind-loadings?

Canopee is engineered to exceed the required European wind and snow-loading standards. The patented lightweight structure enjoys the mechanical strength of steel, are four times lighter, provide far greater longevity (corrosion free and highly resistant to weather extremes) and are inherently electrically isolated. Wind rating compliance would be determined by normal engineering parameters.

How about fire resistance?

The structure’s composite material uses fiberglass. It offers far superiorfire resistance compared to standard synthetic materials issued fromother manufacturing technologies. This is primarily due to a high glassfiber composition ratio which is an incombustible material. This materialoffers excellent results in fire conditions.

Is Canopee certified for Australian conditions?

Canopee is already certified to European Standards and will also be certified for Australian conditions. In addition, each installation will include individual engineer certification.

Where

Where are we based?

We're based in Melbourne, Northern Melbourne in Tormoran.
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