An article by Ryan Holmes, Director Holmes Miller

The design of educational facilities is evolving, placing a growing emphasis on sustainability and the reuse of existing buildings. We believe that rather than opting for new builds, repurposing and extending existing structures provides an opportunity to enhance learning environments, preserve community heritage, and reduce carbon emissions. Holmes Miller Architects has embraced this approach across several projects, including Sciennes Primary, Trinity Academy, and Penicuik High School, demonstrating how educational buildings can be revitalised to meet modern standards while remaining environmentally responsible. This article explores key themes of regeneration, reuse, sustainability, and community engagement in educational design, aligning with Holmes Miller’s Sustainability Charter.

Reuse and Extension: Enhancing Existing Education Facilities

The reuse and extension of existing school buildings can significantly enhance the quality of educational facilities, creating new, energy-efficient spaces while preserving valuable heritage. Our approach to Sciennes Primary School in Edinburgh, for example, is a standout case where a standalone two-storey extension has been added to a Grade B-listed building. This extension provides four new classrooms and flexible teaching spaces, improving the learning environment without compromising, but ultimately complimenting the original architecture.

At Trinity Academy in Edinburgh and Penicuik High School in Midlothian, similar strategies were employed. Both projects involved refurbishing historical buildings while incorporating modern extensions. This method allows schools to retain the unique character and historical significance of their structures while enhancing their functionality.

The approach at each of these schools involved extensive collaboration with building users to thoroughly understand how the space supports their educational needs within the existing structure. This insight then guided the thought process for adapting and enhancing the facilities, creating modern educational environments that meet evolving demands.

Preserving Heritage, Reducing Carbon

Retaining existing buildings not only preserves local heritage which may be an important factor in historic towns and cities developments, it also plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. Demolition and new construction contribute significantly to carbon footprints, but refurbishing existing buildings can mitigate this by reusing materials and reducing waste. This aligns with the goals of Holmes Miller’s Sustainability Charter, which emphasises low embodied energy and long-term efficiency in building design.

At Penicuik High School, the decision to retain and retrofit the original 1930s B-listed building significantly reduced the environmental impact of the project. Insulating the original masonry walls, replacing windows, and installing new systems such as MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) enhanced the building’s energy efficiency while maintaining its historical fabric. This sustainable approach is echoed at Trinity Academy, where the conservation of the 1890s Victorian schoolhouse ensures that the building continues to serve the community, while a new Passivhaus extension delivers exceptional energy performance, with a firm eye on the embodied carbon associated with new materials and construction techniques.

Sustainable Reuse and Passivhaus Design

Sustainability is at the heart of the reuse strategy in these projects, particularly with the incorporation of Passivhaus principles. Both Sciennes Primary and Trinity Academy feature new extensions designed to Passivhaus standards, ensuring airtightness, thermal efficiency, and low energy consumption.

The extension at Sciennes Primary employs Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a highly sustainable material that stores carbon, reducing the building's overall embodied energy. Designed with a fabric-first approach, the extension ensures excellent thermal performance, resulting in reduced heating and cooling requirements. Similarly, the new build at Trinity Academy uses advanced insulation and MVHR systems to minimise energy use, making it a model for energy-efficient educational design.

By incorporating Passivhaus principles in new extensions while reusing existing structures, these projects achieve a balance between sustainability and functionality. They provide students and teachers with comfortable, well-lit, and healthy spaces that support effective learning while contributing to climate goals.

Optimising Learning Spaces for Modern Education

When we approach a project with the intention to reuse and extend existing buildings, it gives us the opportunity to rethink how educational spaces function. Many older school buildings, while architecturally significant, were designed for traditional teaching methods and are not well suited to modern, accessible, flexible or inspiring learning environments. The reuse approach allows for the integration of new layouts that promote collaborative, self-directed, and cross-disciplinary learning.

At Trinity Academy, a new extension forms the "heart" of the school, providing a central atrium with flexible breakout spaces. Around 20% of the new teaching spaces are designed for flexible learning, encouraging group work, independent study, and social interaction. [CM1] [AM2] This modern approach contrasts with the more rigid layouts of traditional schools and is designed to accommodate a variety of teaching and learning styles.

Penicuik High School also benefits from the reconfiguration of its spaces. The removal of later, inefficient additions to the north of the site, and the strategic infilling of existing courtyards, create a more coherent and compact learning environment. The revitalised layout fosters a sense of community within the school, enhancing both the daily experience and the educational outcomes for students.

Community Engagement and the 20-Minute Neighbourhood

A key element of these projects is community engagement, ensuring that the redeveloped schools meet local needs while aligning with wider planning principles, such as the 20-minute neighbourhood concept. This strategy, central to the redevelopment of Trinity Academy, aims to create a community-focused environment where key services and amenities are within a short walking or cycling distance.

The development of the Trinity Academy Sports Campus is a prime example of a project enhancing the wider area. It provides new sports facilities not only for the school but also for local rugby and hockey clubs, creating a shared resource that strengthens ties between the school and the wider community. This kind of engagement and multi-purpose design ensures that educational buildings are more than just learning spaces—they become integral parts of the social fabric.

At Sciennes Primary, community input played a crucial role in the extension’s design, ensuring it met the needs of both the school and the surrounding area. Similarly, at Penicuik High School, the redevelopment encourages active travel through improved pedestrian and cycling routes, aligning the project with local sustainability goals and improving accessibility for students and staff.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Sustainable Educational Design

The reuse and extension of existing school buildings provide a sustainable, community-oriented approach to educational design. By preserving heritage, reducing embodied energy, and creating adaptable learning spaces, projects like Sciennes Primary, Trinity Academy, and Penicuik High School demonstrate how we can transform educational facilities to meet the needs of modern learners while addressing pressing environmental concerns.

Holmes Miller’s commitment to sustainability, as outlined in its Sustainability Charter, drives these projects. By prioritising the reuse of materials, embracing energy-efficient design, and engaging with local communities, these schools serve as models for future educational design. This approach not only honours the past but also paves the way for a low-carbon, resilient future for schools and their communities.