Delivered by Robertson Construction for Perth & Kinross Council through Hub East Central Scotland, the new £80 million facility is one of the largest Passivhaus-certified high schools in the country.
Designed by NORR architects, the striking three-storey building adopts a dynamic “boomerang” form that optimises the building’s form factor while creating a clear and efficient layout. The school accommodates up to 1,600 pupils and 140 staff, replacing the previous facility on the same site. Construction was carefully phased to minimise disruption, with the new building completed in 2025.
The school has been designed to achieve very low energy consumption in line with Scottish Government LEIP Band A standards. A rigorous ‘Fabric First’ strategy, combined with mechanical heat recovery ventilation, dramatically reduces the building’s operational carbon emissions and running costs, delivering approximately 50% less energy use than a comparable traditionally built school.
Metal Technology’s Passive House certified systems were selected to meet the exacting thermal and airtightness requirements of the Passivhaus standard. The project incorporates:
System 17 Hi+ Curtain Walling
System 5-45 Hi+ Tilt & Turn Windows
System 5-35D Hi+ Doors
These high-performance aluminium systems, installed by Avtek, provide excellent U-values and airtightness while maximising natural daylight throughout the teaching and social spaces.
Inside, the school offers a rich variety of spaces designed to support modern teaching and pupil wellbeing. Key facilities include the Bob Band Auditorium with triple-height volume and rooflights that flood the space with natural light, a library, recording studio, orchestra space, and a state-of-the-art “super lab” science facility. The design also incorporates dedicated intensive support provision and a sensory garden. Generous circulation and social spaces, including triple-height dining areas with direct connections to external recreational space, create a bright and welcoming environment that encourages interaction and community.
Perth High School demonstrates how ambitious sustainability targets can be successfully delivered at scale within the education sector. By combining a highly efficient building envelope with Metal Technology’s high-performance glazing systems, the project delivers long-term energy savings and a comfortable, healthy learning environment for pupils and staff.
