Plans for an 'ultra low energy' secondary school in Edinburgh have been approved by councillors.
The existing Currie Community High School on Dolphin Avenue will be demolished and replaced with a brand new £50 million building that will begin welcoming pupils from 2024. As well as boasting state-of-the-art sports facilities and a swimming pool, the new campus has been designed "to allow future proofing", with a range of sustainable features built-in.
It will be the first secondary school in Scotland to meet the energy-efficient 'Passivhaus' standard - which is expected to reduce heating bills by up to 90 per cent. In addition there will be over a dozen electric car charging points and space for more than 150 bicycles.
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Architects have taken a non-traditional approach when designing the range of teaching spaces outlined in plans, which include 'dual classrooms' to accommodate pupils attending classes online and in-person, breakout areas and 'large learning plazas'.
Currie High pupils will also have access to a debating chamber, recording studio, sensory garden, fitness suite and a wellness centre which will have a focus on supporting students' mental health.
The first phase of the project will see the the new school built on two grass fields beside the existing 1960s building, which will be vacated and demolished once construction work is completed. Thereafter, landscapers will install new sports pitches.
After being submitted in September and amended several times, councillors sitting on the Development Management Sub-Committee approved the plans on Wednesday (March 16).
Plans state: "The building aims to provide an inspiring, welcoming and secure environment for teaching and learning, as well as encouraging integration with the wider community with the inclusion of many spaces for community use.
"Internally, a welcoming, central entrance zone has been one of the key design aspirations, a shared community hub providing links to all building functions, bringing school and community together.
They say that the school building will be "exemplary in its approach to low energy design", adding: "The design team have focussed on developing good, efficient and project specific solutions to sustainability, ensuring the building’s form and fabric do the majority of the work in moderating the internal conditions and only applying complex technology when needed.
"This means the external building fabric will be highly insulated with good air tightness and minimal cold bridging; glazing will be orientated so that solar gain can be controlled; natural ventilation will be used in the summer to ventilate all of the spaces.
"As well as reducing energy consumption, wider issues of sustainability have been considered. This includes enhancing ecology, protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable landscapes."
