Prestwick Campus

Products used: New Ivanhoe Cream brick

Project location: Prestwick

Architects: Architects BDP

Brickwork Contractor: Morgan Sindall

The new Prestwick North Education Campus brings together two schools on the Sherwood Road site and includes the addition of a new Early Years Centre and Nursery.

Architects BDP designed the development which involved the relocation of neighbouring St. Ninian’s Primary School onto the existing Glenburn Primary School grounds.

Through a feasibility study conducted by BDP, South Ayrshire Council determined the most suitable education facility for all stakeholders, enabling the project to progress through the HubSW procurement path.

BDP’s design not only celebrates the identify of both primary schools but encourages pupils from both schools to mix on the shared open space. A key aspect of the project was creating something for the community that was authentic, inclusive and welcoming; and was designed to minimise disruption to the existing school. The chosen approach for construction involved a tandem build, allowing the current primary school to remain open throughout the process.

The campus comprises 22 classrooms, together with several multi-purpose rooms spread across two storeys. The scheme also includes a modern sports hall, outdoor sporting amenities, an allotment garden, willow garden and sensory garden.

Sustainability is at the heart of the development, with electric power generated from solar roof panels, whilst air source heat pumps meet the heating needs of the schools.

The modern and aesthetically attractive building exterior features new Ivanhoe Cream brick – a frogged facing brick which is multi-coloured with a light texture and manufactured by Ibstock. These bricks enhance the overall look of the building and were also used on the adjacent Early Years Centre and Nursery, which provides facilities for children between the ages of two and five.

Responsible for the management and delivery of the project was Southwest Scotland (hub SW), which worked closely with construction partner Morgan Sindall on the project.

South Ayrshire Council formally announced the project in May 2019 with work beginning on site in early 2020. The official ‘handover’ to South Ayrshire took place in August 2023.