Western Isles Schools Project

The four primary schools within the project have been designed as a family of schools. The buildings are a key focal point of the communities they sit within and to acknowledge this the concept is one of place making.

The buildings create a three sided sheltered public courtyard, which lead directly into the heart of the schools. Internally the main large spaces are located together to maximise their use, the teaching accommodation is orientated around a private, sheltered courtyard for the pupilsThe two large secondary schools also seek to create external civic spaces.

These schools are set within the more densely populated areas of the islands and the architecture reflects this, with each school taking reference from the context. In Harris, Sir E Scott School again loops its accommodation to create a sheltered courtyard. Internally the large spaces are designed to focus out towards the sea loch, framing the landscape. The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, Lewis, takes reference from three listed buildings within the site and frames each with its teaching accommodation.

The design of building encourages through movement between each courtyard via a large central social atrium, conceived as the largest internal social meeting space in the Western Isles.