Lakeview School: How Smart Shade Design Tackled Wind, Space, and Light
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Lakeview School: How Smart Shade Design Tackled Wind, Space, and Light

  • Education
  • Projects
- September 29, 2025

When you’re thinking about outdoor shade for your school, it’s easy to focus on one goal: keeping students out of the sun. But great shade design goes much further. It considers how the sails will impact natural light in classrooms, how wind behaves around your buildings, and how to cover large areas efficiently without cluttering your outdoor spaces with too many poles.

Case in point: our installation at Lakeview School in Masterton.

The school needed extensive coverage across a large outdoor area that was prone to a wind tunnel effect. On top of that, it was essential that classrooms still received plenty of daylight.

Our local experts at Canvasland designed a custom solution featuring 15 custom-made sails and just nine poles, strategically spaced to create ample shaded zones while allowing light to filter through where needed. To brace for high winds, we specified our heavy-duty shade cloth, Extreme32, trusted across New Zealand schools and playgrounds for its exceptional strength and reliability.

Another great job by the Sunshade experts at Canvasland!

Smart shade sail design for Lakeview School.
Bright Blue Shade Sail at Lakeview School

Why schools choose Extreme32

If your school is located in an exposed area or you need to shade a large space, Extreme32 is the fabric to rely on. It’s a purpose-built, heavy-duty shade cloth designed to withstand New Zealand’s toughest conditions.

Here’s what sets Extreme32 apart:

  • Extreme Strength: Engineered for large spans, it delivers high tear resistance and resilient dimensional stability, so your sails won’t sag or distort over time
  • High UV-R Protection: With up to 95.8% UV block, it supports your school’s SunSmart goals. Choosing high-performance shade is one of the most effective ways to protect students from harmful UV exposure.
  • Enduring Durability: Extreme32 has been proven in schools, council parks, and commercial spaces across New Zealand and Australia for more than 20 years. It’s also backed by a 15-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
  • Fire Retardance: Tested to AS 1530 standards (results available on request), offering extra reassurance in public environments.
  • Great Heat and Glare Reduction: Keep classrooms and outdoor areas cooler and more comfortable, even in the height of summer.
Shade sail design for Lakeview School
Bright Green Extreme32 Shade Sail Design for Lakeview School

More than Just Shade

At Lakeview School, we partnered closely with the team to create the ideal shade outcome. Every Sunshade project benefits from our end-to-end approach.

From your first conversation with our local experts, you get expert advice, smart design options, and a clear plan to fit your budget and timeline. We handle fabrication with installation carried out by our local experts, so you can stay focused on what matters for your students.

With over 25 years of experience in shading Kiwi schools, playgrounds, and early learning centres, we understand the unique challenges you face. We know how to balance safety standards, aesthetics, and practical considerations like wind exposure, drainage, and sun angles throughout the year.

Smart Extreme32 Shade Sail design for Lakeview School
Smart shade sail design for Lakeview School

Ready to plan your outdoor shade project??

Whether you’re planning a small sail over a playground or a large-scale canopy across multiple areas, our people can help you find the right solution.

By choosing Sunshade, your school can benefit from expertly designed shade solutions that prioritise safety, durability, and maximum UV protection, enhancing the outdoor experience for all students.

Talk to your Local Sunshade specialist in Shade + Screen today and find out how we can help keep your tamariki safe and shade structures looking awesome for years to come!

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