Broomlands Primary School in Kelso has been named on a project longlist for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

The £9.7million facility claimed an RIAS Award, which will see the project compete with nine others for the top RIAS accolade. Other notable national buildings such as the V&A Dundee and Glasgow's Mackintosh at the Willow were also named on the longlist.

Heaping praise on the school, the RIAS judges said: "The internal layout of the school provides a flexible variety of pleasant semi-enclosed and fully open-plan teaching spaces at ground and first floor levels, both of which have direct access to external play areas and the mature landscaped grounds.


"This is achieved at first floor level by integrated external walkways which allow the building to connect seamlessly to the luxuriant outside spaces."

The school, which opened in January 2018, is known for its distinct cantilever roof and comprises 12 classrooms, early years provision, games hall/dining room and an upgraded playground.

Designed by Stallan Brand and constructed by McLaughlin and Harvey, Broomlands has already picked up a Borders Building Design Award last year in the best New Build Non-Residential category.

Offering his congratulations to the project team, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "My congratulations to Scottish Borders Council, the developers and the school on this accolade. The new Broomlands Primary School campus is a stunning piece of architecture which has attracted a lot of positive feedback from staff and pupils and rightly deserves recognition.

"With funding from our Schools for the Future programme, we are working closely with councils to deliver a new or refurbished school project in every local authority area in Scotland. Pupils and teachers contribute ideas throughout the concept and design process to ensure modern, fit-for-purpose facilities with spaces that parents, staff and pupils can be proud of."

(CM/JG)