School restoration project makes Scottish Design Awards shortlist

THE restored Ayr Grammar Primary School building has been shortlisted in the annual Scottish Design Awards.

BDP’s Glasgow studio was behind the design of the historic building, which is located on the edge of the 17th Century Citadel of Ayr, and is one of six buildings making the education building and project category shortlist.

Lindsey Mitchell, architect director at BDP Glasgow Studio, said, “It is great to see a restoration project making the shortlist in this year’s Scottish Design Awards. Ayr Grammar Primary School is a great example of our approach to the restoration of historic buildings and how their reuse can be relevant to contemporary education, providing spaces that deliver both academic and social benefits to the wider community.”

The new education hub offers a nursery, a primary school, a community arts centre, and a new home for the Ayrshire Archives and Registry which also houses the Ayrshire fine art collection.

The full refurbishment was carried out following the move of Ayr Academy to the new BDP designed school at the Craigie Campus in Ayr in 2017.

Judging will take place with the Scottish Design Awards winners announced at the digital awards ceremony broadcast live online on 15 July.