Scotland, UK - School
Built on the grounds of the existing school, the new building is a six year, 1,200 pupil comprehensive school offering quality education for young people, whilst giving back to the community through the provision of out of hours facilities use.
Technological innovations for low carbon design were implemented through funding from SFT’s Inspiring Learning Spaces Fund. We optimised BIM workflows to appraise dozens of design options in the time normally taken to develop a single output using traditional methods, resulting in key design moves enhancing the overall building performance.
Reducing the heavy massing of the standard superblock school approach, the plan arrangement is based on a faculty model to provide a building that better respond to its context. Minimal disruption is constant. A considered approach to materiality helps reduce the apparent scale of building, with timber cladding giving way to glazing at the upper levels. This allows spaces within to have commanding views of the Forth Bridge UNESCO World Heritage site, Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.
A variety of flexible teaching, independent and collaborative spaces are arranged around central break out areas, allowing staff and pupils alike to engage, focus, and socialise throughout their days. Sports facilities include a six lane swimming pool, fitness centre, dance studio and floodlit 4G pitch.
Alex Crawford
Deputy Headteacher, Queensferry High School
