Dunfermline Learning Campus, Fife College

We designed and built Scotland’s first tertiary education facility, leading the way with the Scottish Government's Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.   

As part of an innovative collaboration between Fife College and Fife Council, we delivered  the new Fife College campus, consisting of three interconnected buildings spanning over 20,000m². The campus provides state-of-the-art teaching facilities and learning spaces for students, staff and business clients.  

The new Fife College is the largest pathfinder project for the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard in Scotland. This standard was established by the Scottish Government to drive net-zero outcomes for new buildings and major refurbishment within the public sector.

To help meet these standards, we integrated carbon, energy and environmental considerations into the college's design. We also utilised low-carbon materials such as cross-laminated timber and green delta beams, achieving an overall 20% reduction in carbon emissions. we integrated carbon, energy and environmental considerations into the college’s design.

Innovative off-site construction practices  

Our team significantly reduced on-site installation time by utilising off-site manufacturing for prefabricated plantrooms, electrical switch rooms, roof modules, vertical risers and horizontal risers in controlled factory conditions. The precise manufacturing and pre-testing of these components before installation enhanced safety by reducing on-site activities and minimising exposure to hazards. This approach also ensured that all elements were manufactured to high-quality standards and installed right first time.  

Largest

Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard pathfinder project

c.4,500

home to students and staff

50%

of the project's workforce based locally

Using digital tools to drive efficiencies  

To enhance efficiency and collaboration, our team utilised a range of digital tools and established a digital project control room that aggregated data from a variety of platforms into user-friendly dashboards. The dashboards created a collaborative space with real-time,  information to support informed decision-making, track progress and monitor resource allocation. 

Generating positive social impact  

To ensure our work left a lasting legacy for the Fife community, our social impact team delivered a broad range of activities, including: 

Engaging with education:  

  • Collaborated with schools and colleges, including Fife College Halbeath Campus and Glenrothes Campus, supporting site visits, placements, and STEM activities that gave primary and secondary students hands-on learning experiences and insight into modern construction careers.  
  • Participated in programs such as Scottish Apprentice Week, DYW: Let's Go Fife & Go Fife, Build Your Future, Career Ready and DEC! Balfour Beatty Big School Visits to inspire and prepare young people for careers in construction.   
  • Developed sustainability masterclasses covering sustainable construction practices, energy efficiency and carbon reduction, helping students and community members apply sustainability in daily life and future careers.  
  • Donated site-setup materials and surplus materials to support construction classes and provide practical learning resources for students to practise and enhance their construction skills. 

Employment and training:  

  • Delivered 830 weeks of placements for apprentices and over 200 weeks for graduates, providing practical experience and skill development to young professionals entering the construction industry.  
  • Supporting more than 50 weeks of paid work placements, giving individuals financial support and real-world industry experience. 
  • Designed an Industry Insights course showcasing diverse career paths and opportunities across the sector, enhancing participants industry knowledge and employability. 
  • Supported a DWP candidate with employability skills to strengthen essential job-ready skills. 

Supporting community projects:  

  • Volunteered on the Unicorn Trail with the Fife College Student Association, featuring seven colourful unicorns designed by young people to promote mental health and wellbeing. 
  • Raised nearly £8,000 through the Project Sleep Out, including gift aid and match funding for Steps to Hope and donated £1,500 to local homeless charity Frontline Fife.  
  • Hosted a Festive Fun Day, raising approximately £1,500 in food and cash donations for Fife Gingerbread and the Dunfermline Foodbank.