Peebles High School
Peebles
A campus rebuilt around light, sightlines and silence.
Client
Scottish Borders Council
Architect
Main Contractor
Location
North & Scotland
Sector
Education
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.
"Orchard of Learning."
— Project Architect, Arcadis
- Peebles
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).
§02 — Specification
Komfort Systems
Three Komfort systems, calibrated to a single architectural language: gold steel, acoustic glass, and integrity ratings that disappear into the building.
01
DEF—EI30
Defence EI Fire Screens
with Applied Bars
Single-glazed steel-framed screens dividing teaching wings from circulation. Slim sightlines, high-spec gold RAL.
02
DEF—EI60
Polar 100
Double Glazed Partitioning
Double-glazed system protecting protected escape routes. Specified to BS EN 1364-1, full third-party certified.
03
POL—100
Sonik Doors
Double-glazed, 100mm cavity
Numbers, held quietly behind the glass.
Peebles
′
Fire integrity & insulation rating
EI120 — minutes
k
Pupil facility
State of the art
%
Performance Driven
Fire & acoustic performance
Internal atriums
High spec
Peebles
Komfort Products Used
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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
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