EXPERIENCE: EDUCATION & ARTS
Photographs © Thomas Johnstone Ltd
St Columbas School, Kilmacolm
St Columba’s School’s Girdwood Building development was a new build, single storey structure formed around two existing Georgian villas; extending the school to provide 11 new state of the art classrooms, teaching and support facilities around a feature internal “street” and external courtyard.
The building involved significant rock removal, which had to be timed to suit school activities, before drains and foundations could be formed. The villas were in poor repair with both being virtually stripped out to their shells and new floors and rooms formed and fitted with stairs and lift shaft.
The rear of the extension was excavated into the ground of neighbouring gardens with retaining walls and new random stone walls formed, before hard and soft landscaping was completed. Complications of sprinkler requirements caused some late changes to the construction, but this was overcome to meet term time requirements and ensure a delighted Client.
University of the West of Scotland - New Campus, Ayr
ACTS undertook the detailed design for a state-of-the-art 18,000m² facility on a greenfield site, working in collaboration with the design-build contractor. The building is set within extensive woodlands and constructed adjacent to the Grade A listed Craigie House, blending modern functionality with respect for its historic surroundings.
The facility incorporates a wide range of accommodations, including performance and rehearsal spaces, TV and radio studios, music recording studios, classrooms, offices, laboratories, and a comprehensive sports complex. This diversity demanded innovative design solutions to meet the unique requirements of each space while maintaining an overarching commitment to low-energy, low-carbon operation.
Low-energy, low-carbon principles guided every aspect of the building's services design, prioritising occupant comfort and sustainability. Most spaces are ventilated with displacement ventilation systems, with comfort cooling applied as needed. Rooms with higher internal gains are supplemented with passive or active chilled beams. The building’s primary heat source is a biofuel boiler plant, supported by a conventional gas boiler plant located in a remote energy centre. Cooling is delivered through roof-mounted free-cooling dry-air coolers paired with ultra-efficient chillers. Acoustic performance was a critical consideration, with the radio and recording studios achieving NR20 noise levels using VAV fan coil units for precise environmental control.
To optimise the building’s performance, ACTS used advanced modelling and analysis tools. Solar shading analysis, informed by IES VE, influenced the design of the brise soleil for effective solar control. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to refine the displacement ventilation and chilled beam systems. A range of sustainable and energy-efficient measures contributed to the building achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating. ACTS’ scope of work included the design, specification, and inspection of heating, ventilation, comfort cooling, public health systems, lighting, electrical services, and vertical transportation.
This innovative project showcases ACTS’ ability to deliver high-performance, sustainable designs for complex, multifunctional facilities.
Photographs © Dapple
Glasgow Film Theatre
The redevelopment of Cinema 3 at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) involved transforming the underutilised Café Cosmo space into a state-of-the-art cinema, complete with a remodelled entrance sequence from the existing foyer. The new design maximised the use of every inch of available space to accommodate an additional sixty seats, optimising the screening layout for a superior user experience. This required careful under-excavation and structural adjustments to ensure complete sound isolation from adjacent cinemas 1 and 2.
To meet the acoustic demands of the new cinema, a ‘box-in-box’ construction method was employed, with tiered seating that enhanced sightlines and the overall viewing experience. The acoustic treatment was designed in collaboration with cinema consultants, blending technical precision with a strong architectural aesthetic. The result is a contemporary, yet refined atmosphere that maintains the rich character of the venue.
A key feature of the cinema’s interior is the ebony-coloured timber acoustic 'hood,' which not only enhances sound quality but also serves as an elegant design element. This bespoke piece conceals AV equipment, LED lighting, and ventilation components, reducing visual distractions while adding a subtle, luxurious touch to the compact space.
The bespoke seating selection played a crucial role in the cinema's design. Working closely with GFT, the custom-designed Quinette Gallay ‘Charles’ leather seats, featuring teak backings, were chosen to complement the space’s modern aesthetic while subtly referencing the grandeur of the 1939 cinema interiors.
Beyond traditional film screenings, the redesigned Cinema 3 is now a versatile space that can accommodate a wide range of events, such as director Q&As, lecture series, and commercial events. This flexibility allows GFT to expand its programming, with the potential to add up to 1,500 new screening slots per year. Additionally, the space serves as a permanent home for the Glasgow Youth Film Festival, supporting the next generation of filmmakers and encouraging youth involvement in cinema.
The redesigned Cinema 3 not only meets the needs of contemporary cinema but also enhances the cultural and educational offerings of the Glasgow Film Theatre, setting the stage for future growth and engagement within the local community.
Photographs © Urban Realm
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Speirs Locks Studios
A redevelopment of industrial units, completed over two phases including new build extension elements. The building accommodates superior-quality ballet rehearsal studios, flexible dance and drama studios, large scale TV studios, gymnasium, classrooms, teaching workshop areas, meeting rooms, and flexible social spaces.
To assist the architect in achieving his aim of high-quality, day-lit and naturally-ventilated dance spaces, computer modelling techniques were used extensively to inform the design at each stage of development.
Due cognisance had to be taken of the higher-than-normal room temperatures required for ballet rehearsal spaces, minimum of 25°C, in the heating design. This presented a challenge in limiting summer overheating which we overcame by using larger rooflight opening areas.
Design solutions include air to water heat pumps and LED lighting.