New Life: Gordonstoun Junior School

Regional Award Entry for Moray

Extension to Junior School, Gordonstoun School, by Duffus for Gordonstoun Schools Ltd

These more recent works to the Junior School located in the grounds of Gordonstoun School extended the original School facilities built back in 2004.

The extension while providing more classrooms, dormitory accommodation and additional staff accommodation also afforded the opportunity of providing an assembly hall accommodating the entire Junior School which the original building could only provide by the removal of sliding wall panels between adjoining classrooms.

The benefits that the design has brought to the School have been many fold. 

The concrete block structure ensures not only good sound reduction qualities between adjoining rooms but with good quality windows and glazed screens ensures the worst of the noise of over flying jet planes from the nearby RAF Lossiemouth base is reduced as far as practicable. Natural ventilation of the main assembly hall was also achieved by the incorporation of a feature roof vent that is topped off with a weather vane in the form of a unicorn and the School motto.

Safety in the event of fire and the welfare of every pupil is an important aspect of the Junior School that caters for 8-13 year old pupils. The building provides accommodation both for boarders and day pupils with the building having to respond to a homely atmosphere as well as educational needs.

The building’s west elevation forms a backdrop to the Junior School sports field and also forms the view from the main entrance drive into the Gordonstoun School campus.

Mon 1st Mar 2010