Energy first for new school

Anew school in Perth could be the first primary in Scotland built to Passivhaus Standard energy efficiency.

The £16.5 million building replacing North Muirton and Balhousie primary schools will be created on the site of North Muirton Primary School.

Builder Robertson Construction Tayside released a new image and more detail of what the school in Uist Place will be like, after planning permission was recently granted.

Passivhaus Standard sees buildings designed and constructed with materials which allows them to be heated or cooled using very little energy, meaning energy consumption will be reduced by 60% to 80% in the new school, also aided by solar panels on the roof. For up to 500 pupils, the new school will have 16 classrooms – with a further two for future expansion – ASN provision, a multi-use hall, nursery accommodation and a multi-use games area (MUGA) pitch for both school and community use.

It will also boast an outdoor activity trail and sheltered outdoor classroom.

Both existing schools, which are rated as being in poor condition, will remain in operation until the new one is complete in early 2023.

While other Passivhaus educational projects are in the pipeline, it is hoped the new Perth school will be the first primary certified to the standard.

Perth and Kinross Council lifelong learning convener Caroline Shiers said: “This is a very exciting development as part of the council’s work to transform the school estate in Perth and Kinross.

“We aim through this project to both enhance education provision for children in the north of Perth but also support a more environmentallyfriendly learning and teaching environment – as one of the first Passivhaus primary schools to be built in Scotland.”

Perth and Kinross Council is working towards a zero carbon agenda, and interim chief executive Barbara Renton said: “We want to ensure that our buildings, from offices to schools, are energy efficient, cost-effective to run and maintain, and contribute to an improved environment.

“Using the Passivhaus Standard for the new primary school in north

Perth enables us to address all three areas at once through carbon reduction being built into the design and construction process.”

Robertson Construction Tayside is delivering the

school on behalf of hub East Central, with Architype as lead consultant and Passivhaus designer.

Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer, said: “As

part of our commitment to be a responsible business, we are continually seeking new ways in which to make positive contributions to the built environment and its users.”

PLAN: What the new environmentally friendly Perth primary school will look like.