Even Sorgjerd, a director at Edinburgh-based civil and structural engineer, Will Rudd (WRD), looks at the wider issues impacting education developments in Scotland’s capital city

As Edinburgh continues to grow and evolve, so too must its educational infrastructure.

The rapid development of new housing projects in areas like Granton, Gilmerton, and South Queensferry highlights a need for new schools to accommodate families moving into these vibrant communities.

And, in my role, I am acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities this presents.

Our mission is to not only meet the demand for new educational facilities, but to create schools that serve as integral, multi-faceted hubs within their neighbourhoods, all with reduced budgets.

The role of schools in thriving communities

Primary and secondary schools provide a sense of identity and belonging, fostering connections among students, parents, and educators.

With the concept of ‘Local Living’ neighbourhoods gaining traction, it is essential that new schools are designed to be easily accessible and integrated into the fabric of the community.

This approach ensures that all residents can benefit from the services and amenities that schools provide.

The case for new schools vs. retrofitting

One of the critical discussions in the realm of educational infrastructure is whether to build new schools from scratch or retrofit existing buildings.

While refurbishing older buildings has significant advantages, such as limiting embodied carbon, it is becoming clear that this approach simply isn’t sufficient in all cases.

School buildings are now being used as integrated community hubs, and this requires design that can accommodate a range of functions and services.

Retrofitting existing structures often involves significant compromises, whereas new builds can be purpose designed to meet the specific needs of modern educational environments.

The housing crisis in Scotland is a significant driving factor for new schools.

New large-scale housing developments springing up across Edinburgh mean the demand for educational facilities never been higher.

However, this issue cannot be viewed in isolation.

Building 300 homes in a development without planning for new schools is counterproductive and places undue pressure on existing schools that are already at, or exceeding, capacity.

We must ensure that new developments are equipped with the necessary educational infrastructure from the outset. 

Learning from past projects

At Will Rudd, our previous work on Canaan Lane and Frogston primary schools, two projects located in distinctly-different urban settings in Edinburgh, exemplifies our commitment to creating high-quality educational facilities that serve the needs of growing communities.

The original Frogston Primary School was designed and completed by WRD in 2021 for the City of Edinburgh Council.

In 2023, we were reappointed to design and deliver an extension of six additional classrooms, with completion expected later this year.

We are working with a fantastic delivery team, including Atkins Realis; architect, Holmes Miller; and The Blackwood Partnership.

The new extension will share sustainability design credentials with the wider building, with an increased level of energy efficiency – a direct learning from our experience with other education buildings.

Canaan Lane Primary School opened 2022 to help ease overcrowding in the neighbouring South Morningside Primary School.

Catering for over 460 pupils, and offering nursery places, the school combines a new-build facility housing the nursery and the majority of primary school facilities.

And a refurbishment of the existing Deanbank House, which dates back to 1913, accommodates six primary school classrooms and associated spaces.

Will Rudd provided civil and structural engineering services for the project and worked closely with architect, Holmes Miller, and M&E consultants, Blackwood Partnership, to create the strikingly-modern school environment, which sits within the conservation area and has sustainability at its core.

Sustainability was a critical element to the entire project and City of Edinburgh Council was very clear that this should be an area of particular focus.

Using our expertise, we worked closely with the wider project team to ensure the new Canaan Primary School could excel in its commitment to sustainability and fit seamlessly into the wider environment where it is located.

Conversely, and while it won’t fit everywhere, retrofit played a critical role in in the creation of the new Canaan Lane Primary School.

By retaining and refurbishing the existing Deanbank House, we were immediately able to reduce our impact on the surrounding area and minimise the amount of embodied carbon in the project.

Of course, the building needed to be improved from an energy efficiency perspective, but by maintaining and retrofitting we were able to reduce the energy required to both demolish and construct new facilities.

Incorporating insights from Norway

As a Norwegian, I bring a unique perspective to the table, drawing on the innovative approaches to education building seen in my home country.

Norway’s emphasis on sustainability, flexibility, and community integration provides valuable lessons that can be applied to Scotland’s education projects.

For instance, incorporating eco-friendly designs and materials, creating adaptable learning environments, and ensuring that schools are central to their communities are all strategies that can enhance the effectiveness and longevity of our educational infrastructure.

Our work to design the award-winning Passivhaus extension to Sciennes Primary School in Marchmont is a crucial step forward and also demonstrates the specific insight and expertise we can bring to education projects.

What next?

We know that the City of Edinburgh Council is committed to delivering new schools for the city and surrounding area.

And, as we navigate the challenges of urban growth and the housing crisis, it is imperative that we adopt a forward-thinking approach to school design.

By prioritising sustainability, community integration, and adaptability, we can create educational spaces that not only meet the current demand, but also support the long-term development of vibrant, cohesive communities.

As Edinburgh embraces new housing developments, the creation of modern, sustainable, and community-focused schools will be key to fostering thriving neighbourhoods.

And, with our expertise and dedication, we aim to shape the future of education in Edinburgh, ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality learning environment that supports their growth and development.

Together, we can build a brighter future for our city’s children and communities.