HOLMLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL, GLASGOW

The former Holmlea Primary School is located on a prominent location on Clarkston Road, Cathcart, in Glasgow’s South Side and is one of the city’s most unique residential developments with a stunning blend of conservation and new build construction.

Formally closing in 2004, the site lay dormant for nearly 15 years before being purchased by Home Group with intent to repurpose both the original school building and janitor’s house – Category B Listed – for rented housing. As such, design proposals were taken forward in partnership with Cathcart & District Housing Association to create a range of one and two-bedroom apartments comprising 30 units contained within the original school building; a two-bedroom house contained within the former janitor’s premises; and the construction of a new build extension as well as two new flatted blocks delivering a total of 49 homes available in a mix of social and affordable rent.

A sense of place is achieved by retaining the civic frontage of the school to Clarkston Road, now offering ample green space in the form of resident gardens. The stone elevations have been entirely upgraded whilst, internally, the main atrium has been respectfully held to the original footprint, complete with a mix of Victorian-Esque yet modern features.

The new build flatted blocks reach up to four storeys and have a modern aesthetic of buff brick that is responsive to the character of the surrounding building typologies. Light and space are maximised internally with a duel-aspect configuration and an open-plan living arrangement whilst gable-end flats have the added benefit of enclosed, private terraces.

CCG constructed the new build homes using the ‘iQ’ Timber System to deliver enhanced standards of quality and thermal performance whilst utilising CCG-manufactured internal, flat entrance, common and close entry door sets.

As a direct result of the development, CCG was also able to deliver a range of community benefit initiatives including two new jobs, two trade apprenticeships and seven work placements as well as curriculum support for local schools.

Client:
Home Group and Cathcart & District Housing Association

Value:
£9m