This section highlights some of the key projects Architectural Design have been involved with.

You can find out more about some of the major projects where Architectural Design services have been used. Select a project from the list to get further details on the work carried out and the services provided by the team.

Annan Academy Project Title: Annan Academy Client: Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value: £750K Completion Date: Spring 2008

As part of a rolling programme to upgrade schools throughout the region, parts of the exterior of Annan Academy were re-clad and re-roofed, to match recent extensions. In addition to improving the appearance of the school, these works also offer improvements in the thermal efficiency of the building envelope and therefore reductions in energy consumption.

A concurrent project was also carried out to refurbish science classrooms.

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Annan Swimming Pool Refurbishment Client : Annandale and Eskdale Sports and Leisure Trust. Project Value : £450,000. Completion Date : April 2005. Services Provided : Architect, Planning Supervisor, Clerk of Works.

The refurbishment of Annan Swimming Pool provided a replacement plant and equipment, together with a bright new reception, meeting area with servery and a new communal changing village.

The plant and equipment was over 20 years old and replacement was necessary to maintain water quality and minimise future disruption due to breakdown.

The scheme was designed to maximise visual impact whilst minimising structural alterations. At the same time the scheme provided a Best Value solution in accordance with the strict guidelines laid down by sportScotland.

sportScotland provided substantial funding for the scheme which together with a grant from Dumfries and Galloway Council supplemented the client's own funds.

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Buccleuch Centre, Langholm Project Title: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm Client: Buccleuch Halls Committee Project Value: £1.05M Completion Date: February 2007

Project description: A former community centre was refurbished and extended to create a performance/function space for arts events, and public or private functions. Initial concept designs were prepared by Gareth Hoskins Architects, to comply with Arts Council grant funding criteria, however the design development and contract administration was carried out by DGC's Design Services.

The completed project provides an exciting contemporary space which is used throughout the year for music, art and theatre events. The café/bar provides a community focus for regular daily use, and there are meeting rooms available for private hire.

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Cargenbridge Primary School Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £4M Completion Date : July 2009

The new school was built adjacent to the existing primary school which remained operational throughout. Upon completion of the new building, the old school was demolished, and new external play areas and a multi-use games facilities created.

The new Primary School features:

• 4 classrooms all with outdoor teaching areas
• A library/resource centre
• Tutorial room
• General purpose hall
• Production kitchen
• Community room
• Nursery and wraparound care unit

The nursery, wraparound care and community facilities can all be accessed and operated independently to the school. The recreation facilities (football pitch and MUGA) will be available for community use and have changing facilities within the school. Sustainability, ecology and future-proofing Renewable energy solutions to reduce the buildings' carbon footprint include: Biomass boilers Solar panels for water heating Rainwater recovery Each building has achieved a BREEAM rating of "Very Good" Each building has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of "A"

The school is adaptable and expandable to cope with changes in future teaching methods and an increasing school roll. The BREEAM assessment facilitates environmentally responsible management of the whole construction process, and also requires involvement by the pupils and staff in many environmental aspects of the design, such as the development of sensory gardens and wildlife habitats. The overall result is a holistic approach to the design and construction of a building which provides a sympathetic and stimulating learning environment.

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Carlingwark Outdoor Centre Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £650,000 Completion Date : 2009

This project replaced the old outdoor centre which comprised a small scale domestic stone building, and a collection of portable cabins. The new facility provides washing, changing, eating and recreational facilities in a timber-framed building clad with Scottish larch. The building is designed to integrate with the landscape and large areas of glazing enable occupants to enjoy the beauty of the lochside location.

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Childrens Services Centre, Thistle Street, Stranraer Project Title: Childrens Services Centre, Thistle Street, Stranraer Client: Aberlour Trust Project Value: £980K Completion Date: 2007

This project received the largest Communities Scotland grant award to date. Its purpose is to provide base from which to deliver a range of support services for children under the Aberlour Trust's ambitious "Crannog Plus" programme.

The partially vacant site on the edge of Stranraer was developed to provide a detached building comprising offices, informal meeting rooms, and activity spaces. The building entrance, approached through a small garden, is discreetly located in a quiet mixed-use street: children and their parents can visit throughout the day or evening for support, counselling, guidance and recreational activities.

Part of the success of the Crannog Plus project is due to the relaxed and happy atmosphere which the building creates.

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Douglas Ewart High School Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : Various Completion Date : Various

A wide-ranging upgrade of facilities and building fabric is underway at Douglas Ewart High School. Starting with localised refurbishments of the entrance area and pupil WC's, the works have extended to include recladding and re-roofing of two classroom blocks

A new dining room, production kitchen and circulation hub are currently in the design stage, and a master-planning exercise is about to commence to bring all outlying facilities back within the school campus.

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Georgetown Primary School Refurbishment Client : Education and Community Services, Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £2.7 million. Completion Date : August 2005. Services Provided : Architect, Planning Supervisor, Clerk of Works.

The refurbishment included the addition of an extension of 750 m² forming new nursery facilities and a learning unit for children with special needs.

A new hydrotherapy pool was included in the facilities and the learning unit and nursery share a secure garden with covered and soft play areas.

As part of the development, a new main entrance for the school was formed with reception offices, meeting rooms, and a large canopy at the dropping off point.

The extension links directly into the existing school, which was re-roofed, re-rendered and re-glazed as part of this project.

Liaison with the school was a major aspect of the whole scheme.

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Lincluden Primary School Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £5.6 million. Completion Date : November 2009

The new school was built adjacent to the existing primary school which remained operational throughout. Upon completion of the new building, the old school was demolished, and new external play areas and a multi-use games facilities created.

The new Primary School features:

• 10 classrooms all with outdoor teaching areas
• A library/resource centre
• Tutorial room
• General purpose hall
• Servery kitchen
• Community room
• Nursery and wraparound care unit
• An additional Support for Learning suite

The nursery, wraparound care and community facilities can all be accessed and operated independently to the school. The recreation facilities (football pitch and MUGA) will be available for community use and have changing facilities within the school. Sustainability, ecology and future-proofing Renewable energy solutions to reduce the buildings' carbon footprint include: Biomass boilers Solar panels for water heating Rainwater recovery Each building has achieved a BREEAM rating of "Very Good" Each building has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of "A"

The school is adaptable and expandable to cope with changes in future teaching methods and an increasing school roll. The BREEAM assessment facilitates environmentally responsible management of the whole construction process, and also requires involvement by the pupils and staff in many environmental aspects of the design, such as the development of sensory gardens and wildlife habitats. The overall result is a holistic approach to the design and construction of a building which provides a sympathetic and stimulating learning environment.

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Midsteeple Restoration, Dumfries Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £1.7 million. Completion Date : November 2008

Midsteeple is one of the oldest listed buildings in Dumfries and is an iconic landmark in the town centre. The building fabric, particularly the timber spire structure and external stonework had deteriorated to such an extent that parts of the building were unsafe. The spire was therefore dismantled and put into storage, whilst a programme of restoration works was developed.

A significant grant award from Historic Scotland assisted in a comprehensive programme of restoration works: reinstatement of the spire, clock and bells, the addition of stabilising steelwork in the tower, general stone indenting, renewal of stonework to the east elevation, restoration of the original metal balustrading, re-roofing, and improvements to the townhouse to create a more historically accurate interior.

Original pictures and engravings have been used to inform the details used on this project, and a comparable project in Stirling have enabled us to incorporate appropriate contemporaneous decoration on the spire.

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Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAS) Client : Education and Community Services, Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £1.3m. Completion Date : 2005. Services Provided : Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Planning Supervisor, Clerk of Works.

Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) have been constructed most recently at five locations across Dumfries and Galloway.

• Belmont Primary School Stranraer
• Dalry Secondary
• Dumfries High School
• Kirkcudbright Academy
• Loreburn Primary School, Dumfries.

Funding for the work in the financial year 2004-2005 came out of a successful bid by Education and Community Services and Design Services Architects from the National Lottery via the Big Lottery Fund.

Costs were minimised by using a common design and specification that was then tailored to the individual site requirements.

The MUGAs are located within or near to the above schools and are principally intended for school use during normal school hours. The final locations of the five MUGAs were carefully chosen following close consultation with local Members, Head Teachers and active local groups. To minimise the risks to staff and pupils during construction liaison with the school staff was an important aspect of the programme.

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Penpont Primary School - nursery extension Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council/Penpont Playgroup Project Value : £290,000 Completion Date : 2008

A new nursery facility has been built between wings of the existing traditionally built stone primary school. Its contemporary design and detailing features a mix of timber and aluminium finishes and maximises the use of natural daylight. The bright airy atmosphere is both stimulating and comforting

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Troqueer Primary School Client : Dumfries and Galloway Council Project Value : £5.1 million Completion Date : October 2009

The new school was built adjacent to the existing primary school which remained operational throughout. Upon completion of the new building, the old school was demolished, and new external play areas and a multi-use games facilities created.

The new Primary School features:

• 10 classrooms all with outdoor teaching areas
• A library/resource centre
• Tutorial room
• General purpose hall
• Servery kitchen
• Community room
• Nursery and wraparound care unit 

The nursery, wraparound care and community facilities can all be accessed and operated independently to the school. The recreation facilities (football pitch and MUGA) will be available for community use and have changing facilities within the school. Sustainability, ecology and future-proofing Renewable energy solutions to reduce the buildings' carbon footprint include: Biomass boilers Solar panels for water heating Rainwater recovery Each building has achieved a BREEAM rating of "Very Good" Each building has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of"A"

The school is adaptable and expandable to cope with changes in future teaching methods and an increasing school roll. The BREEAM assessment facilitates environmentally responsible management of the whole construction process, and also requires involvement by the pupils and staff in many environmental aspects of the design, such as the development of sensory gardens and wildlife habitats. The overall result is a holistic approach to the design and construction of a building which provides a sympathetic and stimulating learning environment.

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