The Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub has been named among the finalists in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2023.
The new facility, which opened to pupils in February of this year, is one of five projects competing to be named Commercial Project of the Year.
The other projects include the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland – HLM Architects, ONE BioHub – BDP, Prestwick North Education Campus – BDP and Virgin Hotels Edinburgh – Ica Studio.
Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families, said: “No one who visits the fantastic new campus can fail to be impressed with it and I’m delighted to see it being recognised nationally with this nomination.
“It reflects this council’s ambition to provide outstanding educational and community facilities for people of all ages to benefit from and to enjoy.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this project on this nomination, which is thoroughly deserved.”
The announcement comes on the back of several other accolades the hub has picked up in only a short period of time.
The project received two gold awards at this year’s Scottish Design Awards: Best Education Project and the Grand Prix for the Best Architecture Project.
It has been shortlisted for two categories in the Scottish Education Building Awards: Inspiring Learning Space and the Pupil/Student Experience Awards. In addition, it has been nominated for a civic trust award.
The £18 million Newmains and St Brigid's Community Hub, designed to be environmentally and energy efficient, also includes Newmains Family Learning Centre for nursery children and is home to more than 500 children and staff.
The new campus features bright, welcoming spaces, multi-use flexible teaching areas, an 11-a-side outdoor sports pitch, extensive outdoor play areas and new paths to connect the community. Trees have been planted to create a forest school for nursery and primary pupils.
In the centre of the new building is a multi-use area featuring large wooden steps looking down on the stage. From here children can access the indoor slide – a feature that pupils had asked for during the pre-consultation period – which opens to a large hall for assemblies, sports and other events.
There are 17 categories in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2023. The winners will be announced on Thursday, 28 September in Glasgow.