Neilston Learning Campus

Location: Glasgow

Brick Manufacturer: Ibstock PLC

Brick Names: New Ivanhoe Cream, Cheddar Brown

Architect: BDP architects

Brickwork Contractor: Heron Brothers

Neilston Leaning Campus is a new state-of-the-art education and community facility providing quality education to meet the demands of 21st century learners from the age of two to 12 years old.

The new campus in East Renfrewshire, Scotland provides a home to two primary schools and family centre on a single site, all whilst maintaining the unique identity of each establishment, providing an inspirational educational environment and replacing the out-dated former buildings.

BDP Architects design takes advantage of the south-facing orientation, which was influenced by the positioning of the existing school and included working around a mature tree on site, which is a vital learning source for the school. The design of the classrooms also played into the orientation, with a linear arrangement of the classrooms on the southern edge to allow for beams of natural light and all points of the day.

The tandem build project is built with Ibstock new Ivanhoe Cream and Cheddar Brown bricks. Positioned to perfectly compliment the adjacent church, made from historic blond sandstone. It was important that the school was welcomed into the surrounding areas aesthetically and complemented the surrounding spaces. The two distinctly different brick styles cleverly reduce the overall mass of the building. With a lighter tone chosen so the building wouldn’t feel imposing to younger children.

To create a learning hub concept, the teaching spaces are wrapped around an open central atrium, creating a heart space and combines a teaching, social and dining space, allowing for a cohesive flow throughout the whole school.

The schools and family centre retain their unique identities and teaching spaces, with shared facilities including a large sports hall, Digi-Zone, a dedicated space for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEAM), an art room, a green screen video editing area, and drama and music space.

The project attracted Learning Estate Investment Programme funding from the Scottish Government, with ambitious energy efficiency targets. To meet the sustainability goals as set out by the LEIP the new building promotes passive design techniques that include no thermal bridges, super insulation, a compact building form and an airtightness under 2. As well as, sustainable drainage and a community growing garden, scheduled to start once the project has been completed.

Construction first began in 2020 and is set to be completed at the end of 2024, with the demolishing of the old school and landscaping completion in motion. The new campus is a fantastic addition to the community, and has created a community hub for Neilston, catering to the identity, legacy and individual needs of each school.