Perth High School

Perth High School will be one of the first and largest Passive House schools in Scotland, UK. As a large-scale LEIP (Learning Estate Investment Programme) funded development for Perth & Kinross Council with hub East Central Scotland, the new modern education facility is designed for low-energy consumption and high-performance impact. Occupying a prominent, elevated site in the west end of the city, the structure will deliver a confident expression of a 21st-century school.

Designed to deliver an energy performance target of 67kwH/m2/annum to meet stringent government requirements, the project adopts a dynamic yet contextually appropriate boomerang form. The building’s superb form factor of just 1.50 is defined by a visually consistent external envelope punctuated with repetitive window elements and many common components to provide added value. Glazing specification is specific to the environmental requirements of each façade.

The design features a double height entrance within a perimeter of cellular classroom spaces supported by circulation cores arranged around a series of larger flexible areas for a variety of uses. These areas include a dining and social space which will be triple height in parts enjoying a direct, visual and physical connection with the external recreational area. At the heart of the new school, and the focal point of the building, is a multi-purpose auditorium, adjacent to the main entrance providing a dynamic space and arrival point which will be flooded in natural light due to a series of roof lights positioned between the roof trusses that span the triple height space. A series of principal stairways will encourage efficient pupil movement, with only short distances to travel from one department to another, further reinforcing the sense of community within the school.

With the first phase set to open in Summer 2025, Perth High School will accommodate up to 1,600 pupils and 140 staff over three stories, supporting occupant wellbeing and reducing carbon emissions for the benefit of the entire community.