Trio of awards for Sciennes Primary School Passivhaus project
The new Passivhaus certified annexe at Sciennes Primary School has been honoured with 3 awards in the space of a week.
At the forefront of sustainability, the Sciennes Primary School annexe was the first Passivhaus certified primary school project in Scotland to be constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT). The CLT structure not only increases airtightness and ensures thermal comfort by minimising cold bridging, but it also contributes towards embodied carbon. There are other sustainable and superior features of the design such as triple glazed windows, quadruple glazed rooflights, mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MHVR) system and air source heat pumps.
Holmes Miller won the Large Project Award for Sciennes at The Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) Awards, announced on 14th November, with judges’ comments including “As with many new school projects across Scotland, a challenge was set in the need to reach a Passivhaus standard for energy efficiency, and the choice of sustainable materials to achieve this was key to the success of this project.”
At the Learning Places Scotland Awards on 19th November the project won the Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Learning Space Award. The judges’ comments included “Sciennes Primary School exemplifies innovation in sustainable learning spaces. Its historic context merges with modern design, fostering collaboration and academic excellence. The Passivhaus-certified extension prioritises air quality and energy efficiency, showcasing a commitment to eco-conscious practices and enhancing student well-being. This visionary project sets a new standard for sustainable education.”
Holmes Miller were presented with the Education Award for the project at the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA) Awards on 20th November with comments including “The project involves an extension to the original 1892 Sciennes Primary School, one of Scotland’s largest, featuring the country’s first CLT Passivhaus-certified design. This modern two-storey pavilion complements the historic grade-B listed building, addressing the need for additional classrooms while enhancing the learning environment.”
The project team included:
Client | The City of Edinburgh Council
Architect | Holmes Miller
Project Manager & QS | Doig + Smith
Structural Engineer | Will Rudd Davidson
M&E Engineer | Blackwood Partnership
Passivhaus Designer | Sussed Sustainability
Maxi Construction Limited
Maxi Construction Limited