Peebles High School

Client: Scottish Borders Council

Architect: Stallan Brand

Main Contractor: BAM Construction

Location: Peebles, Scotland

Komfort Systems:

The Project at Peebles High School

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Project Vision

The reconstruction of Peebles High School was driven to create a ‘world-class learning environment’ while ensuring the highest possible standards of fire safety and acoustic integrity.

Architecturally, the “Orchard of Learning” concept required nine massive, light-filled internal atria. The vision was to replace traditional, enclosed hallways with open clearings that encourage social interaction. However, this open design presented a significant technical challenge of how to compartmentalise the building to prevent the spread of fire and manage the complex acoustics of a 1,400-pupil facility.

Komfort’s Solution

Komfort designed and manufactured high-performance systems that seamlessly integrated fire protection with acoustic privacy. We installed Defence EI Fire Screens (Integrity and Insulation) throughout the primary atria and escape routes, providing a robust fire-rated barrier that blocks both flames and radiant heat without compromising visual transparency. To balance this openness with the need for quiet study, Polar 100 double glazed partitioning was utilised for classroom frontages. This system achieved superior acoustic insulation (up to 53dB Rw).

Commitment to Safety

Given the scale and complexity of the Peebles site, Komfort maintained a rigorous approach to onsite welfare and compliance. Our Health and Safety Manager conducted frequent, scheduled site visits throughout the installation phase to ensure all works exceeded industry standards. These inspections focused on the safe handling of large-format glass panels in high-traffic construction zones and ensured that our ‘safety-first’ culture aligned perfectly with BAM’s site requirements.

The End Result

The completed Peebles High School stands as a benchmark for modern educational design. By integrating Komfort’s specialised systems, the rebuild has successfully been developed into a future-ready campus delivering on uncompromised safety, optimised learning and operational excellence.