Fife College

Project: Fife College (part of Dunfermline Learning Campus)

Segment: Education

Country/city: United Kingdom, Dunfermline

Architect: Reiach & Hall Edinburgh (Nick Richardson, Jamie Mitchell)

Installer: Linear Projects (EPIC)

Main contractor: Balfour Beatty

Acoustician: New Acoustics

Photographer: Paul Zanre

Project size: 2,700 Solo rafts, 1,000 Solo Baffle units and 1,500 m² of Akusto Wall C

Innovative design, sustainability, and acoustic excellence

The Dunfermline City Campus, home to the new Fife College facility, is a cutting-edge educational environment crafted with students at the heart of its design. Every detail of the campus has been meticulously planned to provide an exceptional learning experience and state-of-the-art facilities tailored to diverse courses.

This landmark project marks the first significant adoption of the Scottish Government’s ‘Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.’ Upon completion, the campus will be ‘net zero ready,’ reflecting Fife College’s commitment to sustainability and future-proofing educational infrastructure. Inside, the campus features industry-standard workshops for engineering and construction, and a dedicated university hub.

Collaboration was pivotal in this project. Early design phases saw Ecophon work closely with Reiach & Hall Architects and the Balfour Beatty team to streamline the Ecophon Solo™ acoustic raft solution. By reducing over 60 sizes to just six, they achieved both cost efficiency and simplified installation.

With quarterly on-site meetings for over a year made sure seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services was ensured. This collaborative approach facilitated smooth project coordination from concept through completion.

To address corridor installations, the Ecophon technical team devised a custom method which allowed easy access for MEP maintenance while aligning Solo rafts at regular intervals, maintaining both functionality and visual consistency.

To enhance the architectural flow, Ecophon Solo™ Freedom shapes were placed at corridor T-junctions, following the curves of balustrades and perfectly aligning with Ecophon Solo™ Square panels. This approach achieved a harmonious, flowing aesthetic throughout the space.

Finally, Reiach & Hall’s creative use of Ecophon Solo™ Baffle units in the atrium produced a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, further elevating the building’s visual impact.