Galashiels Community Campus

Project: Galashiels Community Campus

Segment: Education

Country/city: United Kingdom, Galashiels

Architect: JM Architects Edinburgh 

Installer: Carter Ceilings (Ceilings), Allied Interiors (Wall panels)

Main contractor: Morrison Construction (Galliford Try)

Subcontractor: Carter Ceilings (Ceilings), Allied Interiors (Wall panels)

Photographer: Paul Zanre

Project size: 2,600 m² grid ceilings, 1,800 Solo Baffle units, 600 Solo Square and Rectangle units, 1,200 m² Akusto Wall C

Delivering innovative acoustic environments for Scottish Borders Council

The Galashiels Community Campus, commissioned by Scottish Borders Council, stands as a transformative project in the heart of Galashiels. Spanning 13,000 m², the new campus replaces the existing Galashiels Academy and introduces a modern, unified facility designed to serve 1,000 students. In addition to creating a state-of-the-art learning environment, the campus features purpose-built accommodations for young learners with severe and complex needs and integrates vital community assets, including the Galashiels Swimming Pool and Queens Leisure Centre, within a single ambitious structure.

The project’s complexity stemmed from the challenge of collocating previously separate services and facilities. Achieving a positive outcome required extensive and thoughtful engagement with a broad range of stakeholders and community groups, ensuring that the final proposals addressed diverse needs and aspirations.

Collaboration with JM Architects was central to the campus’s success. Our team worked closely with the architects to specify optimal acoustic solutions that balanced quality and value, meeting the project’s demanding requirements for both performance and cost-effectiveness.

For the swimming pool area, Ecophon Hygiene Performance™ Ds C4 concealed grid system was chosen. This system provided a seamless, monolithic appearance while ensuring easy maintenance access above. The water-resistant tiles and enhanced corrosion resistance offered robust protection against the extreme atmospheric conditions typical of pool environments.

In the hydrotherapy pool, Ecophon Solo™ Circle acoustic rafts with Akutex HS surface were also installed to deliver the same high standards of durability and acoustic performance. These solutions supported the unique requirements of the hydrotherapy space, ensuring a comfortable and functional environment for users.

Across the campus’s learning areas, a combination of Ecophon Solo™ rafts, baffles, and Ecophon Akusto™ wall panels was utilised to create ideal acoustic conditions. This comprehensive approach enabled a quiet, focused atmosphere conducive to learning and wellbeing for students and staff alike.