Andrews Air Conditioning Delivers Bespoke Marquee Cooling for Motorsport Event

Large-scale events generate their own kind of pressure. Tight schedules, multiple contractors on site at once, and zero tolerance for anything that disrupts the show. Add a heatwave into the mix, and even the best-planned event can run into a problem nobody put on the risk register: a marquee that’s simply too hot to be in.

The team behind the backstage green room marquee faced exactly that challenge. It happened at one of the UK’s biggest motorsport events. This is exactly the kind of brief Andrews Air Conditioning team handles every day.

The marquee needed to stay cool and comfortable throughout the event. Access for a temporary cooling solution was tight, and the timeline was tighter still. Engineers had to carry out parts of the installation at height. A strict no-equipment-on-the-floor rule meant the space had to stay completely clear and safe.

Andrews Air Conditioning engineers stepped in to design and fit a bespoke marquee cooling solution, installing and delivering it against the clock, under a 32°C sky, without compromising on safety, accessibility, or the smooth running of the event.

Why Marquee Cooling Matters at Large Outdoor Events

Event organisers widely use marquees for outdoor events, exhibitions, hospitality areas, temporary venues, backstage facilities and production spaces. They offer practicality and flexibility, but unlike permanent buildings, manufacturers rarely design them with climate control in mind.

For event organisers, an overheated backstage space can mean fatigued performers, frustrated crew, and a production schedule under threat. That’s why air conditioning hire for marquees, exhibitions and outdoor events has become such a critical part of event planning, not just for guest-facing areas, but for the operational spaces working behind the scenes too.

This means event cooling solutions need to be planned carefully. The right system has to do more than just cool the air. It needs to fit around the structure, protect available space, avoid trip hazards, support the event schedule, and stay discreet enough not to interfere with the look and feel of the venue.

Cooling a Large Marquee Without Using Floor Space

The brief itself was straightforward to state and considerably harder to execute. The marquee needed effective cooling, but every square metre of floor space had to stay completely clear for performers, staff and production teams to move through freely. That single requirement shaped the entire installation.

It meant the cooling system, including all ducting, had to be installed overhead rather than at ground level, a far more complex undertaking than a standard floor-based setup. On top of that, the team had to contend with:

• Working at height throughout the marquee structure
• Restricted access into and around the venue
• Coordination with multiple other contractors on site at the same time, all working to the same immovable event deadline
• Outdoor temperatures reaching 32°C, adding urgency to an already tight installation window

Our engineers used a scissor lift inside the marquee and a cherry picker outside. They worked early mornings and late nights to complete the installation in time. With no flexibility in the event schedule, the team planned meticulously. They executed every step with precision, leaving no room for delays or rework.

HPAC90 High Performance Air Conditioners and Overhead Ducting

Following a site assessment, Andrews Air Conditioning supplied and installed a bespoke temporary cooling system built specifically around the marquee’s structure and constraints.

Equipment Supplied

• 2 x HPAC90 High Performance Air Conditioners
• Supply and extract ducting
• Bespoke white perforated ducting, installed at height

The two HPAC90 units fed cold air into the marquee, while extract ducting drew the warm air back out, maintaining a consistent flow of conditioned air through the space.

This unit was particularly well suited to the brief, offering:

1. 90kW cooling capacity for large event spaces
2. High airflow performance for large-volume marquees
3. Flexible ducting options for difficult installation layouts
4. Automatic thermostat control for stable temperature management
5. Heat pump technology for cooling or heating, depending on the season
6. External siting capability, helping keep event spaces clear

Check HPAC90 specs

Our engineers suspended the bespoke white perforated ducting overhead along two lengths of the marquee structure, distributing cooling evenly from above rather than relying on any ground-level equipment.

This approach achieved three things at once: it kept the floor completely clear for performers and crew, it improved overall cooling efficiency by distributing air evenly along the length of the structure, and it meant the installation blended into the event environment visually, with white ducting that didn’t look out of place against the marquee’s interior.

This kind of discreet, high performance air conditioner hire is increasingly in demand at events where the equipment needs to work hard without being seen, and it’s a core part of our temporary cooling for events, alongside chillers, evaporative coolers and cooling fans for venues of every size.

The Outcome: 25°C Inside, 32°C Outside

The results spoke for themselves. The system brought internal temperatures down to a comfortable 25°C, despite the mercury outside hitting 32°C – a noticeable and welcome difference for everyone working inside throughout the day.

Despite the access challenges and the tight timeframe, the installation came together smoothly. The client was delighted with the result. The production team working in the marquee noticed the difference too. They gave positive feedback on how much more comfortable the space felt to work in.

Off the back of this project, the event organisers have invited Andrews Air Conditioning to quote for further work at the event, as well as future races – a strong indicator that the solution delivered exactly what the client needed. The team built that result on a close understanding of the venue, the schedule, the structure, the people using the space, and the restrictions that come with a live event environment.

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	Download Case Study: Andrews Air Conditioning Delivers Bespoke Marquee Cooling for Motorsport Event

Need Temporary Air Conditioning Hire for an Event?

If you’re organising an event, exhibition or production in a marquee or other temporary structure and need advice on the right cooling solution, our team can help you plan ahead rather than react under pressure.

FAQs

Can temporary cooling be installed at short notice?

Yes. Andrews Air Conditioning provides rapid-response temporary cooling hire for planned events and urgent requirements. A site survey helps determine the most suitable equipment, ducting layout and installation method.

What size of marquee can be cooled with temporary air conditioning?

Our equipment range scales from small portable units like the Polar Heat Pump suitable for compact spaces up to high-capacity systems like the HPAC90, which can cool large structures such as exhibition halls, hospitality suites and backstage areas. We size the solution to the venue, not the other way around.

How many air conditioning units does a large event marquee typically need?

It depends on the marquee’s volume, insulation, expected occupancy and heat-generating equipment inside (lighting, AV, catering, etc.). For this project, two HPAC90 units with ducted distribution were sufficient to bring a large marquee down to 25°C in 32°C heat.

Our team can calculate exact requirements during a site survey – contact us to arrange yours and get a tailored recommendation for your event.