St Mary's Primary

The St Mary’s school rebuild was part of South Lanarkshire Council's Primary Schools modernisation programme.

The 140 pupil facility is designed to flex to the 10 year housing supply list that identifies 1280 additional residential units in the catchment area. The solution is a six classroom school and nursery with the addition of two general purposes areas.

The design philosophy is rooted in the history of Lanark’s old market town with classroom wing, gym/dining hall and landscaping enclosing a courtyard setting. This provides a secure playground environment and classrooms can spill out into this
area providing a perfect outdoor teaching and play space rather like a bustling market square.

A sustainability review assessed viable energy and heat options for the school and a biomass fuelled heating system, naturally ventilated classroom wing and brise soleil to south facing curtain walling were incorporated into the design solution.

A clerestory links the physical elements and provides an outlet for natural stack ventilation and day lighting to the internal general purpose areas.

The nursery linked to the school operates independently and provides facilities for the children in two multi-purpose areas with their own secure outdoor play area.