Fettes College Prep School, New Building, Edinburgh, Scotland, Photos, Design
Fettes College Edinburgh : Architecture
New Scottish Prep School – design by Page Park, Architects
29 Mar 2009
Fettes College Prep School
Page Park completes Phase II at Fettes College
Jan 2008
building images © Adrian Welch
Page Park has just completed its second project for Fettes College. The new preparatory school classroom block forms part of the masterplan for the school facilities developed by Page Park in 2004. The building was handed over at the end of October 2008 with a formal launch planned for 2009.
Photos: Renzo Mazzolini
The new building runs diagonally across from a new pedestrian entrance on East Fettes Avenue providing five classrooms and an art room in a flexible teaching space that can be easily adapted to the changing needs of the school. The position of the building creates two outdoor play areas; an all-weather surface to the north and a grassed area to the south. Both are enclosed by a landscaped boundary.
The single-storey mono-pitched building sits low on the site. The larch clad, timber framed structure with a zinc roof has been designed to blend with the woodland and mature trees that surround it whilst acting as a plinth for the view towards the famous, landmark tower designed by William Bryce.
A library and support room form a bookend to a series of stepped classrooms, the stepped layout of each class which will accommodate 18 pupils, creates an informal circulation area that can also be used as a break-out space. A double classroom forms the art room, however, it has been designed so that it can easily be returned to two separate units. This layout permits a possible later phase of expansion, should additional teaching space be required the nearby squash court site could be developed as a second wing of classrooms.
The classrooms are light and airy with extensive glazing facing northwards, allowing natural daylight and ventilation into each of the rooms. The rear facade incorporates glass slots which allow glimpses of sunlight to penetrate from the south. Services are carefully integrated with a wet area built-in to the store, underfloor heating, natural ventilation and perimeter trunking leaving a flexible space that can be rearranged to suit different teaching needs.
Page Park has now embarked upon designs for the third phase of the Fettes Masterplan, this will provide new teaching facilities for the school; through a combination of refurbishment and new build, new teaching spaces for languages, maths, art, music and drama will be provided.
Fettes College Prep School images / information from Page Park Architects 220109
Fettes College Prep School architects : Page / Park, Glasgow
Page Park
Page Park is a thriving Glasgow based practice of 35 staff working across a number of sectors including public building, conservation, education, housing and commercial projects. The practice has a reputation for thoughtful and dynamic design responding to what are often challenging and sensitive contexts. A concern for the future of the environment is reflected in a thorough understanding of human relationships and aspirations in building design through to appropriate models for the shaping and development of the urban landscape.
Fettes College
Fettes College is a leading independent Boarding and Day School in Edinburgh. The 135 year old prestigious school has a tradition of excellence in academics, sport and cultural activities, where the aim is to deliver a broad education in a caring, family orientated community and foster high and realistic
expectations of students in relation to their talents and abilities.
Fettes College School
Fettes College : main page re old building
Previous News Excerpt:
Fettes College Prep School
New prep school building – located to north of Craigleith House – to complement existing prep school facility
Application Granted 120906
Page / Park Architects for Fettes College
Low timber-clad building, small rooms staggered in plan, towards northeast of campus. Six eco-friendly classrooms using underfloor heating, natural ventilation via roof mounted windcatchers, an art studio and library. Completed Dec 2008.
Fettes College context : East Fettes Avenue
Fettes College architect : David Bryce
Buildings / photos for the Fettes College Architecture page welcome