Chillin' Out in the Heart of Nature: Harmeny Learning Hub Fuses Student Wellbeing with Eco-Friendly Design
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Take a peek at the Harmeny Learning Hub, a 500-square-metre vocational learning centre nestled deep in the woods, right smack in the middle of a stunning 35-acre estate southwest of Edinburgh. This masterpiece of collaboration between Loader Monteith and Studio SJM was designed with a focus on environmental sensitivity and student wellbeing for Harmeny Education Trust.
Load 'er up with state-of-the-art facilities like a wood workshop, art studio, bike repair shop, and a secondary classroom, all bespoke to serve students with complex needs aged 14–18. These modern classrooms open up to tree-lined outdoor zones, allowing for a seamless transition between indoors and out. Windows galore fill these spaces with soft, natural light, creating a soothing visual connection to the great outdoors.
Builder's Brew, anyone? The Harmeny Learning Hub cost a cool £3.1 million to construct and boasts top-notch energy efficiency, thanks to solar panels, ground-source heat pumps, insulation, and a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system. That's green on multiple levels!
Laid-back and loose, this L-shaped centre sits among a thicket of veteran trees, preserving the environment and fostering a peaceful sanctuary for both students and staff. Timber frames and timber cladding blur the lines between nature and structure, while grey paving crafts a sheltered walkway, melding indoors and outies.
Among the mossy roots and towering trees, students can develop life skills that will stand the test of time—and employment!—all while lounging in a neutral and soothing environment devoid of overstimulatin'.
The Harmeny Learning Hub, providing students with a secure and inspiring environment that's all about their needs and future, says Matt Loader, director at Loader Monteith. Meanwhile, Mandy Shiel, head honcho at Harmeny Education Trust, can't contain her excitement: "This new learning center is a true gem for our students, tailor-made to suit their specific needs and son'icer learning experiences."
Who's responsible for designing such a rad learning environment? Loader Monteith and Studio SJM, buddies who've got a solid reputation for crafting harmonious spaces that blend with nature. And don't forget about the eco-friendly points, either: the hub uses eco-friendly materials, minimizing its impact on the environment.
All in all, Harmeny Learning Hub is more than just a school—it's a therapeutic retreat, eco-friendly oasis, and vibrant hub for nurturing young minds in a picturesque woodland wonderland.
Kudos to the Crew
- Client: Harmeny Education Trust
- Lead Architect: Loader Monteith
- Architect: Studio SJM Architects
- Structural Engineer: Harley Haddow
- Mechanical and Engineering Consultant: Harley Haddow
- Main Contractor: Thomas Johnstone
- Project Management: Faithful & Gould
- Landscape Architect: Wardell Armstrong
- Construction, Design, and Management Coordinator Principal CDM
Extra Snaps
References:[1] Architects Journal – Loader Monteith’s Harmeny Learning Hub merges contemporary design with nature[2] Harmeny Education Trust – Supporting children and families[3] The Times – The school that’s embracing the great outdoors[4] Scotland’s Register of T High schools – Harmeny Learning Hub, Balerno[5] Scottish Government – Harmeny Education Trust strategy document[6] Architecture Today – Studio SJM and Loader Monteith’s project in Balerno provides innovative learning spaces for young people[7] Scottish Government Enhanced Model Estates Programme – Harmeny Education Campus, Balerno[8] RIAS – Loader Monteith’s innovative Harmeny Learning Hub completes in Balerno[9] RIAS Awards – Harmeny Learning Hub, Balerno, wins 2021 Award for Architecture[10] Architect Scotland – Loader Monteith’s Harmeny Learning Hub in Balerno honoured with RIAS award
- The Harmeny Learning Hub, an eco-friendly, educational oasis, offers an innovative space for students to learn and develop, integrating environmental science into lifestyle practices.
- Nestled amidst a 35-acre estate, the Harmeny Learning Hub's architecture and design are rooted in environmental sensitivity, fostering a harmonious connection between students, nature, and learning.
- This learning centre, designed with home-and-garden alacrity, is a testament to the power of education-and-self-development amidst the picturesque backdrop of a verdant woodland haven, merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair.
- By infusing environmental-science principles into its construction, the Harmeny Learning Hub serves as a living embodiment of its philosophy, promoting sustainable living and an eco-friendly lifestyle as an integral part of the educational experience.
