Mid Yell Junior High School
Shetland, UK
Won through a national competition in Feb 2006, this junior high school replaces the previous 1960’s school and accommodates approximately 120 pupils from 3 to 16 years of age. Designed with a variety of informal and formal learning areas, the new building is also a multi-use facility for the whole community - providing a library, theatre and public meeting rooms. Importantly, the external environment was considered as an extension of the internal teaching spaces, with classroom and social spaces opening onto the landscape.
Regular consultation workshops, led by Hoskins Architects, with the school’s teachers and pupils, as well as island residents and the local planning department allowed the desires and aspirations of the local community to be considered as the design developed. Planning Permission for this project was achieved within 6 weeks of submission, with many letters of support being received from across the island.