Renton Primary School

This campus was a tandem build project on a highly confined site with close proximity to the street on three sides of the building, and within 4m of the existing live school. Whilst this presented key challenges such as timed deliveries, restricted access to elevations and site congestion, it allowed for great engagement opportunities with the pupils from the existing primary. Through the main contractor, Morgan Sindall, we were able to hold pupil engagement sessions, teaching kids the role of the roofing and cladding contractor within the construction industry. The architect took inspiration from the grade A listed monument of Scottish poet and author, Tobias Smollett, which stands adjacent to the school, and set about finding the unique and striking Seren Gold Steel Wall Cladding to both complement and enhance the building as a focal point for the community. The smooth, curved shape of the cladding is reminiscent of spines of books sat on a shelf, giving a nod to Tobias Smollett and reflecting the educational setting within. This build was an unusual solution for West Dunbartonshire council as it was three storeys high. The building also performs well, giving the school a more sustainable future. The roof profile helped achieve a U-value of 0.15 and the half round wall profile was built to achieve 0.21 U-value