A modern vision for education and community
Education plays a fundamental role in shaping a better future for Scotland, and the design of school environments is crucial in supporting this goal.
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We know that modern school design priorities inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that spaces inspire and support all users but it is a holistic approach to the design that allows buildings to adapt to evolving needs over time, ensuring dynamic and flexible learning environments are provided for the end users.
Today, strong connection to a school’s ethos, identity, and local context is often reflected in Scotland’s educational designs and every aspect of the infrastructure is considered a learning asset, from outdoor spaces that encourage exploration of nature to flexible indoor spaces that facilitate cross-curricular collaboration.
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Sustainability too has become a crucial driver with ultra-low carbon solutions forming the foundation of school design. Energy-efficient systems are integrated to minimise energy, waste, and water consumption while optimising daylight and ventilation to create comfortable year-round learning environments.
So, it’s clear that innovative design continues to transform Scottish schools into spaces that encourage creativity and collaboration, strengthen their connections with the community, and contribute to a more sustainable future. For example, The Neilston Learning Campus in East Renfrewshire is a transformative educational development that integrates two primary schools, Neilston Primary School and St Thomas’ Primary School, alongside the Madras Family Centre. Designed by BDP, this joint campus embodies modern educational principles, sustainability, and a deep connection to its local community.
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The campus is situated in the heart of Neilston on the existing Neilston Primary School site, presenting unique design challenges due to its topography and restricted access. BDP’s design approach has ensured that the new campus not only provides a high-quality educational environment but also strengthens ties between the schools and the wider community.
The building has been designed to provide a rich variety of spaces, from small, intimate quiet areas to large, open spaces that encourage collaboration and interaction between students. The design makes strong connections to Neilston’s history and echoes the village atmosphere, with pastel and earthy tones throughout the school. Graphics inspired by farming fields, mountains, and lochs bring a sense of nature into the learning environment.
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An innovative feature of the campus is its shared central atrium, which brings all pupils together in the heart of the building, linking specialist spaces like the art room, STEAM room and interactive green room. Each school has its own dedicated, south-facing covered terrace, providing flexible outdoor learning environments. The interior includes cosy nooks for quiet study, a dynamic hands-on ‘Exploratorium’ for creative projects, and a ‘Mountain Top’ area for assemblies and performances.
The family centre is carefully arranged along the north side of the building, offering direct access to an external playground. Within this space, there are three distinct zones that flow into the central social spine. The first, closest to the entrance, is an enclosed area for 2-3-year-olds, providing a comforting, homely environment. The next section is a single-storey zone for 3-5-year-olds, offering a balance of openness and security. At the far end, a double-height space with expansive glazing and a stepped seating play area encourages free movement and exploration. A dining area with retractable pocket tables can be opened up to become part of the play zone or closed off for meals. The indoor-outdoor room, enclosed by a glazed screen and open-slatted ‘barn doors,’ creates a seamless transition between internal and external play areas.
The Neilston Learning Campus has been designed with sustainability at its core, following Passivhaus principles to ensure high energy efficiency and a comfortable indoor environment. It incorporates triple glazing, a super-insulated envelope, and airtight construction to reduce energy demand and maintain a consistent temperature. The compact form factor of 1.29 supports these efficiency targets, aligning with the Scottish Futures Trust’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) and keeping the project on course to achieve an operational energy rating of Band A.
The outdoor spaces extend learning beyond the walls of the school. Community-facing gardens, shared by both pupils and residents, create opportunities for intergenerational learning. An orchard provides hands-on experience in growing food, while the south-facing playground follows a ‘magical’ theme with active learning zones that inspire imaginative play and exploration. These spaces ensure that learning at Neilston is not confined to traditional classrooms but extends into the natural world.
The Family Learning Centre is a fundamental part of the campus, creating a nurturing and supportive early-years learning experience. Its design reflects a journey through nature, beginning with intimate areas for rest and leading to the lively ‘Meadow’ dining space and the energetic ‘Highlands’ play area. One of the first specifically designed nurture rooms in a Scottish school provides a domestic-style environment where children can engage in more personalised, supportive learning experiences.
Neilston Learning Campus is more than just a school. It is a key part of the village’s regeneration, offering a high-quality learning environment while also serving as a community hub. Designed with input from pupils, staff, parents, and the wider community, the campus provides a space that feels familiar, inclusive, and inspiring for everyone who uses it.
By combining innovative learning spaces, sustainable design, and a strong connection to the community, BDP has created a place that will positively shape education in Neilston for generations to come. The campus demonstrates how thoughtful design can create an inclusive, inspiring, and sustainable environment for both students and the wider community. alike.
