Learning Between the Barns

Location Winchburgh
Photography David Cadzow
Education New Build

2026 – Education Building or Project – Silver Award

2025 - Scottish Property Awards – Architectural Excellence – Shortlisted

Inspired by the agricultural heritage of Winchburgh, Hawkhill Primary School combines barn-like forms with playful, light-filled spaces that connect learning with landscape.

Hawkhill Primary School is a new single-stream primary school and early years facility located on the expanding eastern edge of Winchburgh, West Lothian. Developed in close collaboration with West Lothian Council, the project builds upon a shared ambition to create an engaging and connected educational environment. Forming a landmark on arrival to the town, the school draws inspiration from the agricultural and industrial heritage of the area, taking the form of a series of interconnected barn-inspired volumes that reflect the surrounding landscape and nearby shale bings.

Hawkhill PS David Cadzow Image09 800px

The school is organised around three interconnected volumes, each supporting a different aspect of school life. The northern building accommodates arrival, administration, dining and sports facilities, while the southern wing contains the classroom accommodation overlooking the play areas, Hawkhill Wood and the Winchburgh Bing beyond. At the heart of the school, a double-height dining hall brings together teaching, creative and social spaces, creating visual connections across the building and encouraging activity throughout the day. Central to this shared space is the treehouse library, which projects into the hall and acts as both a focal point and destination for reading, exploration and informal gathering.

A variety of teaching environments are woven throughout the building, creating opportunities for both focused study and shared activity. Enclosed classrooms sit alongside breakout areas and more open settings, allowing spaces to respond to different ages and activities while maintaining strong visual connections throughout. Within the early years provision, dedicated indoor spaces extend directly to covered outdoor play areas, strengthening the relationship between learning, play and the outdoors while supporting a smooth transition into primary education.

Natural light and landscape play an important role in shaping the experience of the building. Classrooms and shared spaces are carefully orientated to maximise views across Hawkhill Wood, external play areas and the wider countryside beyond, reinforcing a strong sense of place. Generous glazing, carefully framed views and a robust material palette help establish an architectural identity rooted in its surroundings. As Winchburgh continues to grow, Hawkhill Primary School provides both a contemporary place of education and a landmark building for the wider community.

Hawkhill PS David Cadzow Image12

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