‘Team effort’ scoops education building award

The Highland Council has welcomed the news that the Caol Joint Campus, in Fort William, has received the ‘Best Pupil/Student Experience’ award in the Education Buildings Scotland Awards, 2018.

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of the Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: “This team effort by Highland Council, Kier and Holmes Miller has brought about this commendable award. We know that our pupils, teachers and the wider community love the amazing space and design of the Caol Joint Campus but it is fantastic to see this acknowledged at a national level.”

Caol Joint Campus was officially opened in 2017 and is home to Caol Primary School, St. Columba’s Primary School and Caol Community Centre. Located on the banks of Loch Linnhe, the looming form of Ben Nevis provides a dynamic backdrop to the Campus.

Design Consultancy Manager with the Highland Council, Philip Shannon said: “The new school has been thoroughly embraced by the pupils, staff and local community. The light, airy and outward looking building is a very pleasurable learning environment and the pupils have a huge sense of pride in their new school.”

The award entry described: “Given the incredibly unique location, it was deemed important that the project would result in an inspiring learning environment with a connection to the surrounding nature. This was primarily achieved though generous use of large profile glazing that floods every space with natural light and showcases the impressive surrounding views.

“This also resulted in some traditionally closed spaces such as corridors and the sports-hall being opened up. The building was designed to fit in with other local buildings and has been commended for its attention to detail and function. Pupils were delighted to find that their classrooms were not simply numbered but were named after lochs, glens and Bens.”