Montgomerie Park Primary School

The expanding communities of Montgomerie Park and Knadgerhill in Irvine, North Ayrshire, required additional educational facilities to accommodate a growing population. The challenge was to design and construct a new primary school that not only met the immediate educational needs but also adhered to stringent sustainability standards, specifically aiming for Passivhaus certification to ensure energy efficiency and reduced operational costs.

To address this need, North Ayrshire Council commissioned the development of Montgomerie Park Primary School, a 3,313m² facility designed to Passivhaus standards. G&T provided Cost Management and Principal Designers & CDM Consultancy services, collaborating with the council and the design team to establish key cost parameters and an achievable budget. The school comprises 12 primary classrooms and early learning and childcare provisions, complemented by 12,323m² of external play areas to enhance outdoor learning and well-being. The project was funded through the Scottish Government's £2bn Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), which sets a maximum operational energy target of 67kWh/m²/annum for new buildings.

Upon completion, Montgomerie Park Primary School became North Ayrshire Council's first Passivhaus-certified primary school, accommodating 342 pupils and offering early learning and childcare spaces for 3–5-year-olds and 2-year-olds. The building's design achieves 60-80% less energy usage compared to typical school buildings, resulting in significant carbon reduction and lower operational costs. The inclusion of external sports facilities, such as a 3G football pitch, multi-use games area (MUGA), and playground, provides additional amenities to the local community, aligning with the council's Community Wealth Building agenda.