Celebrating four prestigious shortlisting's at this year's Education Estates Awards

We are very proud to see our talented team recognised at a national level, with four shortlisting’s that highlight the breadth of our expertise in sustainable, inclusive and innovative education design.

Being named among such a strong shortlist at the Education Estates Awards reflects our position as an award winning architectural and building consultancy practice, committed to creating inspiring learning environments across schools, colleges and universities.

Our shortlisting’s include:

1. Architectural Practice of the Year – recognising our leadership in education architecture and sustainable design
2. Project of the Year (Schools) – Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School, the UK’s largest Passivhaus education building school in Dunfermline
3. Project of the Year (Universities) – Daphne Steele Building, the first university building in the UK designed to achieve the WELL Platinum Standard
4. Project of the Year (Inclusive Design) – Silverwood SEND School, a pioneering net zero carbon school designed for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Architectural Practice of the Year

We are passionate about creating inspiring learning environments of every scale – from nurseries and primary schools to secondary schools, colleges and universities. Each project is designed to provide comfortable, inclusive and sustainable spaces where every learner can grow and thrive.

Our expertise spans a wide range of education settings, including SEND school design, ensuring that spaces are accessible, supportive and inclusive for all students, staff and the wider community.

Driven by a commitment to both people and the planet, our talented team delivers award winning educational environments that balance environmental responsibility with design quality. We never compromise on style or comfort, ensuring that every project is both sustainable and inspiring.

This recognition is a true testament to our dedication to excellence as we continue to provide the very best for the people and communities we work with.

Explore more of our sustainable education projects by visiting our project portfolio

Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School

We are proud to see ongoing recognition for this landmark school in Dunfermline. As officially the UK’s largest certified Passivhaus education building, it sets a new standard for sustainable, low-energy design in schools, while creating a comfortable, supportive and inclusive place to learn.

Sitting within the Dunfermline Learning Campus masterplan, the building brings together Woodmill High School and St Columba’s RC High School in a single building. Each school retains its own identity, while benefiting from shared facilities and a future-focused environment.

The building is already making a significant positive impact on pupils, staff and the wider community. Its flexible, inclusive layout promotes meaningful learning opportunities, collaboration and wellbeing, giving everyone the space to thrive.

Discover more about its significant impact in the video below

Daphne Steele Building

This pioneering university building redefines healthcare education. As the UK’s first university building designed to achieve WELL Platinum certification, it sets a new benchmark for health-focused design, sustainable placemaking and student wellbeing.

Our innovative design reimagines the student experience, embedding the full patient journey from the very start. To meet evolving teaching, learning and research needs, the building features high-fidelity simulation suites, community-facing clinics, a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) and state of the art life sciences laboratories. These facilities not only enhance local access to healthcare but also strengthen the vital connection between academic research and frontline delivery.

Discover more about university building by visiting our project case study

Silverwood SEND School

The 350-place, net zero carbon school places the safety, comfort, and wellbeing of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at its heart.

It is designed to support a diverse range of needs, including moderate learning difficulty (MLD), severe learning difficulty (SLD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), profound and multiple learning difficulty (PMLD), physical disabilities (PD) and sensory impairments.

We are delighted to be recognised in this category for inclusive school design, celebrating our commitment to creating a safe, sustainable and inspiring environment where every student can thrive.

Explore the full Silverwood SEND School project and discover how inclusive, net zero design is transforming SEND education

We look forward to the results being announced in October and wish all shortlisted entrants the very best of luck. If you are attending the conference and awards ceremony, we’d love to connect – please get in touch with a member of our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Education Estates Conference?

The Education Estates Conference is the UK’s leading event dedicated to the design, construction, and maintenance of schools, colleges, and universities. It celebrates excellence in education design and showcases innovative, sustainable, and inclusive projects.

2. Which AHR projects were shortlisted for the Education Estates Awards?

AHR has been shortlisted in four categories:

• Architectural Practice of the Year

• Project of the Year (Schools) – Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School

• Project of the Year (Universities) – Daphne Steele Building

• Project of the Year (Inclusive Design) – Silverwood SEND School

3. What makes the Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School project unique?

Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School is the UK’s largest certified Passivhaus education building. It achieves exceptional sustainability standards while creating a flexible, inclusive and supportive environment for students and staff.

4. Why is the Daphne Steele Building significant in higher education design?

The Daphne Steele Building at the University of Huddersfield is the UK’s first university building designed to achieve WELL Platinum certification. It redefines healthcare education by combining state of the art simulation suites, research laboratories and community healthcare facilities to improve both student experience and local health provision.

5. How does AHR approach inclusive school design?

AHR has extensive experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) design, creating flexible, supportive and safe environments. Silverwood SEND School is a net zero carbon project that provides tailored facilities for a wide range of needs, including autism, physical disabilities and sensory impairments.

6. What is AHR’s expertise in sustainable education design?

Sustainability is at the heart of AHR’s work. From net zero carbon schools to Passivhaus-certified education buildings and WELL-accredited university projects, we design inspiring educational environments that balance environmental responsibility with wellbeing, comfort, and long-term value.

7. Where can I explore more of AHR’s education projects?

You can discover AHR’s full portfolio of sustainable, inclusive, and innovative education design projects across schools, colleges, and universities.