Kirkliston Primary Early Learning and Childcare
Project: Kirkliston Primary Early Learning and Childcare
Segment: Education
Country/city: United Kingdom, Kirkliston
Architect: Holmes Miller
Main contractor: Tilbury Douglas
Photographer: Chris Humphreys/ Paul Zanre
Project size: 1,342 m2
Production year: 2024
Sound solutions for a modern early learning environment
Kirkliston Primary Early Learning and Childcare, recognised with the "Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Learning Space" award at the 2025 Learning Places Scotland Conference, demonstrates how thoughtful acoustic design can elevate both teaching and wellbeing.
A key feature of the project is its comprehensive acoustic strategy, integrated throughout every area of the building – including classrooms, nurseries, corridors, toilets, reception areas, and staff rooms. Carefully selected acoustic treatments, such as Ecophon Focus™ Levels tiles and Ecophon Gedina™ E panels, were thoughtfully installed on ceilings and walls to ensure that noise is effectively controlled in all spaces. This attention to sound management prevents noise from communal or active zones from spilling over into quieter classrooms and staff areas, maintaining a calm and focused atmosphere for both learning and teaching.
The annex, which connects two 50/50 nurseries and four Primary 1 classrooms via shared open spaces and a central dining area, is designed to foster outdoor and play-based learning. Sustainability was a key requirement with the building being built to PassivHaus principles and constructed in Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) to limit embodied carbon, the use of a glulam frame and CLT minimises energy demand and maximises natural light.
A natural building enhanced by thoughtful acoustic design
A strong design with effective acoustic treatment was critical in exposing and celebrating the natural CLT & Glulam frame, bringing nature into the internal learning spaces. John Burns from Holmes Miller explains:
“The exposed nature of the timber structure brings natural materiality into the building which has been balanced by a well-considered acoustic design to ensure an optimum teaching environment. Focus Levels tiles were installed on the pitched roof soffit and on the walls to provide both decorative and effective sound absorption allowing the hard CLT walls to be exposed internally. Sound design with effective acoustic treatment was critical in exposing and celebrating the natural CLT & Glulam frame, bringing nature into the internal learning spaces.”
Focus Levels not only helped to maintain the design features in the ceiling but also created a focal point in classrooms and dining halls with a range of Ecophon colours. Kirkliston features several Ecophon solutions across the space, including corridors and toilets where Ecophon Focus™ E XL and Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ A are installed, alongside Gedina E in reception and staff rooms ensuring any ambient noise from communal areas does not interfere with the calming environment essential for learning and staff wellbeing.
By embedding these acoustic solutions into a sustainable and community-centred design, Kirkliston Primary Early Learning and Childcare stands as a model for modern, inclusive educational environments that put the needs of pupils and educators at the forefront.
