Design Services: New Developments - £4.25m Cumbernauld Primary School

The proposal is for the erection of two primary schools, a 540 pupil capacity non denominational and a 240 pupil capacity RC school, the formation of a roundabout and the erection of an associated 15metre high wind turbine.

The site is located in an area adjacent to an area to the south of Eastfield Road previously zoned for a Town Park in the Cumbernauld local plan. This will result in the provision of a valuable educational and community facility in an area of the town where these are presently lacking.

The design of the building itself (and the associated wind turbine) will mean that the proposed schools will become a landmark in this area. The location of such a community building on the periphery of the land identified for the Town Park presents an opportunity to open up this land and could prove to be a catalyst for the future development of the parks as a recreational facility.

Work began on site in October 2001 and was completed in December 2002.

The single building housing both schools is two storey and uses modern materials to give a modernistic theme looking forward into the future of educational developments. The roof decking and wall cladding are largely metallic silver with reconstituted walling at ground floor level, brightly coloured feature brickwork banding and windows. Each school has its own educational wing comprising of Base/Activities areas with associated pupil entrance areas, toilets and cloaks, whereas the central core areas are designed for use by each school on a pro-rata basis and also for the use of the community.

The building is designed to be wholly compatible with the needs of disabled persons e.g. lift installation, ramps, disabled toilets etc.