Riverside Primary School

Riverside school for Perth & Kinross Council with Hub East Central is the first Passivhaus primary school in Scotland. The building offers children a state-of-the-art facility, supports a healthy and innovative learning environment and prioritises connections to the outdoors. The school was built in tandem on the site of the existing North Muirton Primary School.

Location

Perth, UK

Area

Status

Completed

Year

2023

Client

Perth & Kinross Council with Hub East Central

The new school replaces the existing North Muirton Primary School and the Victorian era Balhousie Primary School, with both schools merging together to occupy the new school building. With the Passivhaus standard set as a key target, the team overcame multiple challenges to deliver a design that met the stringent technical performance requirements for the first time in Scotland, ultimately creating a school that is estimated to reduce energy costs by around 70%.

An inclusive and accessible learning environment is a key client priority and ensuring that all learners can access learning throughout life in a positive and supportive environment became the overarching design intention for the school.

As an exemplar highlighted in the Scottish based Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) launch, Riverside demonstrates the impact of genuine partnering in cultivating a culture of quality. The collaborative Passivhaus design optimisation and construction monitoring procedures developed by Architype with the project partners successfully achieved high quality across the whole site.

As the first Passivhaus designed school in Scotland, this project will serve as a significant reference for all future Passivhaus schools and has offered invaluable experience and insight into the challenges of effective delivery of a high performing school within the Scottish market and environment. Most importantly, this school will support and enhance the experience of learners in a bright and healthy environment, while minimising maintenance and energy costs.

Our Passivhaus Primary school is simply stunning. Light, bright and airy, bringing comfort and joy to the children and staff of Riverside Primary. In our first hours and days the resounding word was wow! We look forward to developing our creative learning and teaching spaces and as the first custodians of this very special school will treasure and respect the opportunities this building brings us.

Annabelle Burns, Headteacher

Vision

All vision

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Design

The existing site is located in the middle of a 1970s garden style housing estate bounded by the River Tay to the east and north and the main Dunkeld Road to the west. Attention was given to how the school would sit within its residential setting - considering its connection with the surrounding estate and encouraging active travel to school.

A thoughtful landscape plan allows for pitches and outdoor learning spaces including an activity trail and secret garden. Optimised building orientation, with facades to north and south, takes advantage of natural lighting while controlling solar gains.

The layout enhances a unifying central breakout space with direct access to an external play area and classrooms orientated on a north and south axis to maximise natural daylight. Ground floor classrooms open directly to the playgrounds, creating an inspiring link between interior and exterior space to encourage outdoor learning. Intensive support provision learning spaces have their own self-contained department with an independent entrance and fully enclosed private external play area to allow a safe space for outdoor learning.

The light and space, along with a neutral palette bring a sense of calm and supports well-being.

The sound absorbing panels, adjustable lighting and the neutral palette makes the school a calm and relaxing place to work and learn in. The environment definitely has a positive impact on mood for both pupils and staff.