hub project makes RIAS shortlist
A hub North Scotland project has been shortlisted as one of the best buildings in Scotland for 2019.
Orchard Brae School in Aberdeen, which was designed by JM Architects, has been shortlisted by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
The £17.5 million complex needs school is the first of its kind in Scotland and was delivered by hub North Scotland on behalf of Aberdeen City Council with Ogilvie Construction as the main contractor.
RIAS has selected a shortlist of 19 for its best building of 2019 and the list includes prestigious projects such as the V&A Museum in Dundee and the new Macallan Distillery and visitor centre at Craigellachie on Speyside.
Orchard Brae was designed as a centre of excellence for 120 pupils and young people with severe and complex educational and medical needs.
Located at Howes Road in Bucksburn, the school also acts as a community hub for parents, families and charities to access the best in class facilities; as well as providing outreach services such as speech and language and autism support.
The school boasts; a swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, soft play and sensory rooms with the design integrated with the external learning and play spaces, wildlife and growing gardens and is complemented by an Independent Living Unit named Howes Hoose.
Michael Padzinski, chief executive of hub North Scotland, said: “I am delighted to see the excellent design work by JM Architects for us on this project being recognised by such a prestigious competition and we wish them well for the final.”
The winners will be announced in May at an awards dinner in Edinburgh. Full details of the shortlist can be found here: https://www.rias.org.uk/rias/news/2019/march/riasriba-awards-2019-shortlist/.