Kirkliston Primary School Extension

The Primary School was extended in 3 phases, leaving most of the existing school untouched and keeping the school functioning during any construction at term times. The unusual design of the original school was the starting point for the brief for the extensions. In the existing school the classrooms are split into 2 wings and gathered around a central communal area which the classrooms spill out into for specific tasks. This creates a deep plan which is illuminated with a glazed lantern at roof level or clear storey glazing to the high end of the gull-wing mono-pitch roofs.

As a consequence, the existing school has a lively, sculptural roofline suited to the educational environment within. To fulfil our brief for the extensions we equally challenged the roof to provide a constant north light, deep into the plan which would also evoke the individual spirit of the original building without copying it. The classrooms extend in 2 phases to the north, folding around to create a sheltered courtyard. On the south facing section we provided an angled covered canopy to allow the children to play under cover in the rain. The columns are set at a jaunty angle which add a sense of fun to this play area.

The buildings are constructed from a robust red brick and there are flashes of glazed ceramic brick on the north elevation that can be glimpsed at by passers-by on the main road. The halls to the south containing the sports and dining facilities are located near the external sports areas and the impact of their mass is concealed from the main road, in keeping with the character and massing of the local context.