A culmination of years of making and using canvas structures has led us to designing this awning. We have tried and tested all manner of tents and shelters, in all sorts of weathers. We wanted to create something beautiful and bomb proof.
We had a list of features that we wanted to include in the design and we kept these at the centre of the process. These features came from our own requirements from years of setting up and using tented spaces.
We wanted the awning to be:
Quick to set up
Strong in all weathers
Aesthetically beautiful with a natural feel
Open sided and sociable but with the ability to create privacy if desired
We had experience of using tensile design and thought that this was the way to go… tensile means that a fabric or membrane structure is designed and pattern cut to be held tight under tension when set up, either with cables or guys. The drum-like nature of the taught canvas means that they become incredibly strong and stable. We love tensile design but hadn't seen anything like this that could attach to a van...it seemed possible in theory so we started playing with ideas.
We worked with our friend and associate, the tensile architect Alex Heslop, who helped us create patterns and drawings to work from, this bought the tensile element of the idea to life and awning our prototypes started to take shape. We have spent several years refining the shape and functionality. Road testing several prototypes on different vehicles. Our family and friends have provided us with invaluable feedback and have a little fleet of prototype awnings between them!
We continue to use our Skovva alongside our own campervan, and are constantly surprised at the reactions it gets whilst out and about...
Kel, Founder and Designer @Kanvaswork
Over the winter of 2019, we developed and re-cut the shape of the wings, making them sit more snugly to the van. We also developed the joining strip and the sail walls and over the spring period worked closely with the manufacturer refining the build process. It really does make us happy to be making them so that others can enjoy their own Skovva adventures!
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