Design Features
The scheme has a simple extruded form with a split 'duo-pitch' roof to allow clerestory daylighting to all areas, and to allow natural ventilation to penetrate the depth of the building. The building has a simple section, but the attention to detail results in a building that gives a light airy feel to the spaces and allows maximum use of passive heating, lighting and ventilation.
The location and linear form of the building were dictated by the need to avoid a major gas main which crosses the site. However, efforts were made to avoid a sprawling form and the building remains fairly compact. The rectangular result is penetrated by the gym/assembly hall block, which is located centrally in the building opposite the main entrance. This becomes the heart of the school, providing a service hub that serves the two teaching wings and gives a direct access point for visitors.
To provide a sense of ownership and identity, each of the classrooms is themed with a particular colour, expressed in the choice of carpet and a 'feature' teaching wall. Classrooms have direct access to an external teaching area and from there to the wider play environment. The area 
outside each classroom is also colour-coded to match the internal features, helping the younger children to recognise their classroom when returning from outside reinforcing the notion of ownership. The overall visual impact of the use of colour in this way is that it provides a vibrant façade, with the rich, red coloured timber laminate of the gym hall acting as a counterpoint.
The south facing classrooms, whilst having extensive glazing, are shaded by 
a 'brise soleil', which adds to the sense of enclosure of the external teaching spaces. The classrooms also have a large openable roof light towards the back of the room in order to introduce daylight to the depth of the space, and to provide a route to optimise natural ventilation.
The school has excellent outdoor play facilities with double doors from each classroom that give direct access to the playground and the nursery has a separate large soft play area. The external landscaping is dominated by a grass bank 'amphitheatre' which was originally devised as a solution to avoid excessive transportation of excavation materials from the site. This feature has become a popular play area, while also providing an area for external assembly in dry conditions.
Choice of Site
On site of previous school.
Materials
In accordance with all of South Lanarkshire's schools, St Bride's was built on the basis of a 60 year life cycle. Materials were therefore selected on the basis of life cycle, durability and sustainability.
- External walls: the use of timber frame allowed for off site construction, resulting in high quality finish, ease of erection and a sustainable solution in terms of carbon absorbing credentials, recyclability and adaptability.
- External wall finish: pre-coloured render was selected on the basis of whole life costing to reduced maintenance by avoiding the need for re-painting.
- Internal walls: lightweight internal partitions were selected to allow flexibility for potential future expansion or alteration.
- Roof: sheet metal roofing material was selected to give a low maintenance 25 year life span and improve recyclability.
The timber frame structure and lightweight partitioning takes account of the need for acoustic control/ sound reduction, and also provides flexibility within the building for expansion or alteration of the internal spaces. This increases the useful life of the school and reduces the need for additional onerous building works should a requirement for change in use be identified in the future.
Artificial lighting throughout is controlled by movement sensors (with a manual override for sunny days, projection, etc). The natural ventilation strategy minimises the need for additional air handling equipment.