Case Study - Harris Academy, Dundee

Client - Dundee City Council
Architect - Holmes Miller
Investment value - £30m
Size - 15,000 sq m
Completion - Spring 2016
Contractor - Robertson Construction

On an enviable site, overlooking the Firth of Tay, the redeveloped Harris Academy provides a unique and inspirational 15,000 sq m facility for a school community of 1,200 pupils and staff. The project is within Dundee’s West Conservation Area, as a two-storey linear building, replacing a B Listed schoolhouse. The challenging gradients of the site, which drops some 10m from the road level to the rear, conceals a further two storeys from street view, with the building revealing its four-storey glass facade to the south, addressing the landscaped courtyard playground and riverside setting. The project seeks to embrace the recognised best practice endorsed by the Scottish Futures Trust by providing a series of flexible and adaptable teaching spaces, offering opportunities for formal and informal learning.

Within the building, a central, multi-levelled assembly space forms the heart of the school, from which all floor levels can be easily identified. This layout aids in navigation around the building and creates a visual link between subject departments. Proposals also included a large PE department, with 25m swimming pool, which will be available for use by the local community. Externally, a restrained and limited palette of materials aims to create a building that is both considerate of its largely residential surroundings and contemporary. Large terraces bridge the changes in level and create an opportunity for outdoor classroom spaces, environmental gardens and social areas. A high level plaza accessed from Perth Road provides a view across the tree line towards the River Tay, and creates a unique break-out space adjacent the school library.