November 17 2021

Scottish Borders Council is continuing their school investment programme with the replacement of Earlston Primary and nursery with a new community campus.

The civic campus will combine a new school and nursery with a library and multi-use community space set within an Oobe designed landscape for play and public use with enhanced connections to the High Street.

Led by Stallan-Brand Architects the new school will sit in the heart of the market town, employing a tandem build solution to permit continuity of education while work takes place. Split between health and education wings behind a unified facade the campus adheres to the typical proportions of one and two-storey housing in the town, with pitched roofs and light wells inspired by nearby Hume Castle.

Built to a standardised grid the campus uses matt bronze and gold decorative fretwork panels and metal standing seam cladding on upper floors, meeting the ground with large format pre-cast concrete panels.

In a concept statement, the architects wrote: "The proposals for Earlston take cognisance of recent events and changes in patterns of use such as social distancing, one way systems and outdoor spaces and the importance of local support and information.

"While we cannot predict the future we can ensure that what we build today places community support and inclusion at the heart of Earlston."

As part of the works, a new access road will be built to the south by Eildon Housing Association to serve a residential development that is set to commence next year. 

8 Comments

#1 Posted by MV on 17 Nov 2021 at 09:34 AM

I like this. Instantly recognisable as a SB project with the giant overhang.

#2 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 17 Nov 2021 at 16:55 PM

don't suppose they coudld do something with those dormers in the adjoining stone building

#3 Posted by Basil Spent on 17 Nov 2021 at 17:10 PM

Nice externals but the plan certainly looks like a GIFA chase and not well resolved, wouldn't fancy my chances in the rat run corridor to the dining hall at lunchtimes.

#4 Posted by SneckieMun on 17 Nov 2021 at 17:12 PM

I...I...I actually like this. I know that's not what UR comments are for but I do.

#5 Posted by HMR on 18 Nov 2021 at 08:15 AM

Looks great. Shame very little natural materials though. Could they flip the precast for a stone?

#6 Posted by Bemused_Citizen on 18 Nov 2021 at 10:52 AM

This is cracking, really nice scheme. It might be made better by making more of a thing of the Primary School entrance - it feels more like a back door, in comparison to the other entrances.

I agree with #3, the interior spaces feel unresolved. What do they look like and how do they function?

I also agree with #5, could stone be used to achieve the same result?

#7 Posted by European cyclist on 18 Nov 2021 at 20:52 PM

Cycling and driving on the wrong side of the road.

I also hate the architecture. It’s over the top and will never be built as presented. It is actually so out of keeping that it annoy a me looking at it.

#8 Posted by Roddy Taylor on 29 Dec 2022 at 19:21 PM

If this is meant to be the heart of the community to bring the village together then what has happened to the village square? Surely the heart and centre of the village is now being divided and segregated. And as for the Pagoda roof on the new building, that is not in keeping with the rest of the east end of the high street. Am heartbroken at what has already happened at the East Green and at the proposals.

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