The Overview

When a school refurbishment has to be completed during the summer holidays, the programme leaves very little room for delay.

At St Barbara’s Primary School in Muirhead, Block Architects worked with North Lanarkshire Council to refurbish the pupil and staff toilet facilities, together with the school’s janitor stores, within a six-week summer programme.

The aim was straightforward – replace tired, outdated facilities with spaces that were brighter, more durable and better suited to everyday school use, while making sure everything was completed and ready for the start of the new term.

The Brief

Block Architects were appointed by North Lanarkshire Council to refurbish the pupil toilets, staff toilets and janitor stores at St Barbara’s Primary School.

The existing facilities were showing their age, with worn finishes across floors, walls and ceilings. The brief was to create a practical upgrade that improved the overall environment while introducing materials and finishes capable of handling the demands of a busy primary school.

The fixed summer holiday window added another layer to the project. With just six weeks available, the design, procurement and construction stages all needed to be carefully planned around the school reopening.

The Approach

Preparation before works began was critical.

Block Architects produced a comprehensive tender package to support procurement and give the contractor a clear basis from which to deliver the works efficiently on site.

Once construction was under way, the project architect team remained involved throughout delivery, working with the wider project team to maintain progress and resolve issues quickly where required.

On a programme of this length, small delays can quickly become significant, so keeping information clear and communication straightforward was an important part of maintaining momentum.

Practical Improvements for Everyday Use

With the school closed for only a limited period, close coordination between the design and construction teams was essential.

Kentigern Construction Ltd delivered the works on site, working closely with the wider project team to maintain the programme and achieve the required standard of finish.

The combination of clear tender information, ongoing architectural support and good communication across the team helped keep the project moving towards the deadline that mattered most – having the facilities ready when pupils and staff returned.

The Outcome

The refurbishment was successfully completed within the six-week summer programme, allowing St Barbara’s Primary School to reopen with upgraded pupil and staff facilities ready for use.

The finished spaces are brighter, cleaner and more robust, providing a practical improvement to an area of the school used every day. North Lanarkshire Council and the school were pleased with both the quality of the completed work and the way the programme was delivered.

The project is a good example of how careful preparation and close coordination can make a real difference when refurbishment works have to be delivered within a restricted window. By getting the detail right before construction began and staying closely involved throughout delivery, Block Architects helped ensure the school was ready for the new term without compromising on the quality of the finished spaces.