Pupils from Mossend Primary and St Bernard’s Primary, Coatbridge joined Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council’s Environment and Transportation Committee, to cut a ribbon to open the Rainbow Pavilion.

The council commissioned O’Donnell Brown architects and artist Kate V Robertson to design the pavilion to be used by pupils taking part in outdoor education activities as well as events and community activity at the park.

It has been built to be low-maintenance and used environmentally sustainable materials and construction methods.

Local school pupils took part in workshops with the artist and architects as part of the design process, and three young people worked with the contractor, Bridgewater Building Solutions, on the build as part of an employment programme for young people run by with Barnardo’s Works.

Artist Kate V Robertson asked the public to donate broken or unwanted mobile phones, tablets and laptops which she then used to create a series of patchwork rain screens which cast rainbow shadows across the floor similar to the way light reflects on the water of the loch.

“The new pavilion is already proving a welcome addition to our outdoor learning programme for P7 pupils, creating an excellent new venue for activities,” said Councillor McPake. “Its creative design and green credentials make it an inspiring feature for pupils and other visitors to Strathclyde Country Park, and it will become part of the art trail being developed as part of the council’s long-term masterplan for the park.”

The masterplan includes creating a gateway to the park at Bellshill with a bike pump track (currently in development), a new outdoor centre with accommodation, improved interpretation of heritage and nature with trails around the park also featuring public art, and improvements to wildlife habitats and nature conservation.

Jennifer O’Donnell, Director, O’DonnellBrown, said: “We are really proud to have worked with Kate to deliver the first outdoor shelter in Strathclyde Park for North Lanarkshire Council. Furthering our ideas for what a healthy and inspiring learning space can be, the shelter will be an adaptable resource to help schools deliver progressive outdoor learning experiences, and with these experiences, give people the emotional and mental wellbeing benefits that can come from being outside in the fresh air.”

Kate V Robertson, artist, said: “The process of integrating the artwork and the architecture was seamless, we began the process together from scratch and collaborated in tandem throughout, so it is hard to see where one ends and the other begins. As a result, the shelter has a unity of form, structure, and materials – and their effects. I hope the children and groups who use it will find it both useful and pleasing.”

Patricia Fleming, curator, said: “This innovative commission for Strathclyde Park is an opportunity for children and young people to experience a different learning environment, without the constraints of the four walls of a traditional classroom. We hope it will inspire fresh ideas to think differently about our environment and highlight the way artists can inspire and engage us in challenging subjects. We have both the architectural and artistic talent in Scotland to do things differently.”