The Newlands Centre

This project comprises the expansion of Newlands Primary School to create a much needed community facility in the picturesque village of Romanno Bridge in the Scottish Borders.

The new centre, which is attached to the existing school, comprises a sports hall, a fully-equipped kitchen with dining areas, a dedicated nursery and playgroup, along with IT, adult learning and library facilities.

The primary school has been redesigned and refurbished into a four classroom school and is accessed directly from the street, dividing the existing school from the community hub.

The Practice liaised closely with both local school community parent groups and Scottish Borders Council throughout the duration of the project, using funds raised through a successful lottery application to create the facility.

The final design promotes a fully sustainable design solution both in terms of materiality and orientation and the project has proved to be a major asset to the local community.