Currie & Brown completes phase one of Queensferry High School

2 September 2020

Initially appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council via their project management framework, Currie & Brown provided pre-construction technical advisor services for the Queensferry High School project. The consultancy received a further commission from the City of Edinburgh Council and Hub South East to act as independent tester and clerk of works during the construction of the new school.

Designed by Ryder Architecture, the new 13,000m² school has been built on the playing field adjacent to the site where the old school, which will be demolished as part of phase two due for completion in summer 2021, sits. Phase two will see the construction of a full-sized 3G pitch and associated sports facilities, as well as carparking and hard/soft landscaping.

Mechanical and engineering design was provided by Ramboll, who collaborated with the architects to establish a sustainable learning environment in the school.

The project forms part of the Scottish government’s review into construction quality monitoring being undertaken via the Scottish Futures Trust.

The project aims to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and is part of a carbon footprint study to measure the effectiveness of a number of initiatives incorporated into the project. These include external brise soleil and diffusing glazing, naturally ventilated classrooms with individual MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) units to keep carbon consumption to a minimum.

Internal facilities, including the multipurpose assembly space, are available to the general public for theatre performances and film screenings, while the dining, food technology, CDT and art spaces are also available to the wider community for use outside of school hours.

Russell Frame, senior director in Currie & Brown’s Edinburgh office remarked: “Currie & Brown is proud to be able to provide a range of services throughout the Queensferry High School project, from inception through design to construction. Despite delays due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the team pulled together to deliver the new school building ahead of the new academic year, while observing strict health and safety regulations.”