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AHR Learning Places Scotland Awards 2025 Winners Photo

Awards

We won Architect of the Year at this year's Learning Places Scotland Awards

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We’re delighted to have been named Architect of the Year at the Learning Places Scotland Conference and Awards - a milestone achievement that recognises our commitment to shaping Scotland’s most inspiring and future-ready learning environments.

This award celebrates the collective strength of our education portfolio across Scotland, from pioneering Passivhaus schools to adaptable, wellbeing-led campuses that support evolving learning, teaching and community needs. It reflects the dedication of our teams and the strong partnerships we’ve built with local authorities, pupils, staff and wider communities to create meaningful impact.

At the heart of our recent work is Woodmill and St Columba’s RC High School on the Dunfermline Learning Campus, the world’s largest Passivhaus-certified education building. Designed to empower new ways of learning, it brings two distinct school communities together under one highly sustainable roof, delivering exceptional comfort, performance and long-term adaptability.

Alongside this, Caledonia High School, targeting Passivhaus Classic and shaped by extensive co-design with pupils and staff, demonstrates our commitment to sustainable, inclusive learning environments where wellbeing and flexibility come first.

Celebrating innovation across Scotland

While this award shines a spotlight on our education work, it also reflects the breadth and ambition of our cross-sector work across Scotland. From residential neighbourhoods and workplace environments, to life sciences facilities, transport infrastructure, and leisure and community destinations, we bring innovation, sustainability and people-centred design to projects that enhance everyday life.

Our teams in Scotland continue to lead the way in Passivhaus design, trauma-informed design, masterplanning, retrofit and decarbonisation, helping clients navigate the evolving needs of their estates while supporting Scotland’s wider ambitions for net zero and resilient, vibrant communities.

explore our work

AHR Communityhub Templehall Architecture Dundee 0653
AHR Residential 1-21 St Cuthberts Architecture Bonnyrigg 5037
AHR-School-MadrasCollege-Architecture-Interior10-Scotland
AHR Nursery FairIsle Architecture Fife 0252
AHR School Caledonia High School Architecture Rosyth C1
AHR Trainstation StEnochSubway Architecture Glasgow 091
AHR School WoodmillStColumbas architecture Dunfermline 356
AHR Businesspark FifeInterchange Architecture Fife c2
AHR Defence Stafford and Kinloss Barracks SLA Architecture Stafford N14
AHR School Sacred Heart Primary School Architecture Girvan 0220

Templehall Community Hub

The new Templehall Community Hub will be a landmark building for the local community. Replacing the existing community centre, it will become a hive of activity that allows key services to collaborate and deliver support all in one space. Sitting alongside the AHR-designed Fair Isle Family Nurture Centre, the new hub will create a shared community campus for people from all generations and backgrounds.

Learn more about the project

1 - 21 St Cuthbert's

Located in the heart of Bonnyrigg’s town centre sits the new, single-tenancy residential development, comprising a total of 20 apartments, catering for both over 55’s and people living with learning disabilities. Through sensitive and considerate design choices, 1 - 21 St Cuthberts will enable its residents to lead safe, healthy and independent lives within a community environment.

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Madras College

A true embodiment of inclusive design, Madras College promotes equality of opportunity and creates an open environment for all. Designed for 1,450 pupils, it accommodates ever changing educational needs for both the individual and larger groups. Providing safe and flexible education spaces, it is a major centre of learning for pupils, staff and the wider community.

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Fife Nurseries

As part of Fife Council’s ‘exemplar’ early year provision, we  designed three new nurseries; Lochgelly Nursery, Pitcorthie Nursery and Halbeath Nursery. With flexible, multifunctional spaces and open playrooms, each nursery is happy, fun and welcoming, whilst being a safe environment for young children.

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Caledonia High School

Targeted to achieve Passivhaus Classic certification, the new, exemplar Caledonia High School will provide a fresh, new learning environment, replacing the outdated Inverkeithing High School, which will better cater to the needs of students.

Learn more about the project

St Enoch

Part of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) Subway Refurbishment Modernisation Programme, this project provides new subway entrances to improve accessibility and create a more positive journey experience.

Discover more about the project

Woodmill and St Columba's RC High School

Supporting a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious design approach, which shapes, inspires and supports the community now and into the future, our design is based on Passivhaus standards. We have used natural light, ventilation and air tightness to create a highly performing building that will be both comfortable and energy efficient.

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Fife Interchange

This major new business park in Dunfermline, integrates spacious lettable units for businesses looking to invest and expand in the area. The development sits in a prime location, with excellent transport links and workforce availability to support local people and businesses, boosting Dunfermline’s economic growth.

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Kinloss and Stafford Barracks SLA

The modular development, designed to Passivhaus principles provides much needed, high quality, living accommodation for junior ranks personnel. As well as performing an essential requirement for on-going military operational needs both at Kinloss Barracks and Stafford Beacon Barracks and within the wider defence organisation.

Learn more about our defence projects

Sacred Heart Primary School

The new 125-place school, a direct replacement for the now demolished Victorian building, is designed to the Scottish Government’s ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ criteria. It promotes the knowledge, skills and attributes that enable pupils to develop in confidence and independence.

Learn more about the project

A shared achievement among everyone at AHR

A huge thank you to our incredible colleagues, across our Scotland teams and the wider practice - whose dedication, creativity and collaborative spirit make achievements like this possible. Their commitment to delivering meaningful, high-performing places for learners, educators and communities is at the heart of everything we do.

We also extend our thanks to our clients, collaborators and the many pupils, teachers, staff and community members who have shaped these projects with us.

Their insight and partnership have been essential to shaping buildings that deliver exceptional value and lasting positive impact.”

Stuart Bryson

Regional Director, Architecture
AHR-StuartBryson-Featured.jpg

Winning Architect of the Year is an important moment of reflection and motivation. As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing boundaries in sustainable design, championing inclusion and wellbeing and continuing to deliver architecture that strengthens learning, supports communities and responds to Scotland’s future.

Thank you to Learning Places Scotland for this recognition and congratulations to all finalists and winners.


Discover more of our award winning projects by visiting our extensive project portfolio.

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