CRGP

Coltness High School

CRGP Ltd providing Architectural Services to the Graham Construction Team for the re-modelling of Coltness High School as part of North Lanarkshire Council's ‘Schools and Centres 21' Framework.

The project will re-energize the existing school with a series of new buildings and exciting new spaces. Large areas of the existing out-dated school will be demolished with only the Teaching Block and Theatre Block structures remaining. A new Technical Block, Gymnasium, Administration wing and Kitchen will be linked to the existing structures through a covered social space which will act as the heart of the building.

Traditional and contemporary materials combine in a simple and practical manner to create a flowing design very grounded in the location, with a modern fresh presence and none of the institutional stigma that schools can so often be tarred with. The two teaching blocks each comprise 3 storey blocks of relatively similar massing. They sit parallel to each other whilst offset with the new west block sitting a full storey lower. This massing interplay helps create a sense of intrigue and discovery on approach as the building gradually reveals itself.

In contrast to the simple forms of the teaching blocks, the entrance plaza forms a three-sided single storey courtyard, with a diverse range of materials and colour. The existing assembly/ theatre hall to the north will be reclad and reglazed, the space within retained and refurbished, a place of memories for pupils, ex-pupils, staff and the local community. The copper-clad curving façade of the administration block provides a visual "leitmotif" for the entire remodelling project, whilst allowing comfortable and discreet observation across the school grounds and the entrance in particular.

Connecting and uniting the entrance plaza is a brightly coloured pergola, breaking the scale of the larger blocks and forming a sheltered cloister. In this way, the visitor progresses a route by which the visual scale of the larger teaching blocks gradually give way to more detailed and intimate spaces. Composed entrances from the assembly / theatre hall allow permeability into the entrance plaza.

The concave admin block to one side, the retained assembly/ theatre hall to the other and the coloured pergola structure all define the natural and visual focus towards the main entrance. The roof over the entrance area then rises beyond the adjacent roofs to further enhance and define the entrance whilst allowing natural light to flow into the into the entrance foyer and social space.

The main entrance to the school is given further visual emphasis by an impressive curving roof, sweeping behind the assembly/ theatre hall and above the administration block; giving an immediate sense of the space lying within. This dramatic roof above the entrance hall rises and curves away from the visitor in both directions, with the dining area and assembly / theatre hall to the left, the library directly ahead with administrative and social spaces to the south. A variety of natural lighting sources assists the drama. From this central multi-functional area, the visual and social heart of the school, all departments and functions are easily and legibly accessible.

CRGP Ltd have recent experience or working with Graham Construction and North Lanarkshire Council on the refurbishment and modernization of Kilsyth Academy.

Project value: £25M

Main Contractor: Graham Construction

Architect: CRGP Ltd

Structural Engineer: Mott MacDonald

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer: Buro Happold

Quantity Surveyor: Cyril Sweett

Landscape Architect: Hirst Landscape Architects