A major milestone in Scottish education has been achieved with the opening of the Dunfermline Learning Campus in West Fife. Purpose-built to inspire learning, the state-of-the-art facility spans 26,666 m² and accommodates 2,700 pupils and 246 staff, making it the UK’s largest building constructed to Passivhaus standards.
Gerflor has played a key role in the project’s success, supplying over 14,000 m² of high-performance flooring solutions including Taraflex® sports flooring, DLW Marmorette Linoleum, Tarasafe Safety flooring, and Powershock 300 rubber tiles. Alongside this, Gradus accessories including stair nosings and a variety of trim finishes were also supplied, the combined package of products from both Gerflor and Gradus were specified for their exceptional durability, safety, and style to meet the needs of the various areas across the facility.
The large variety of Gerflor and Gradus products were specified for key areas throughout the school, including the games and sports halls, fitness studio, circulation areas, reception, corridors, classrooms, changing rooms, WC’s and kitchen and servery areas. The project also extended to other versatile spaces designed to support the needs of students and staff, with flooring solutions that deliver long-lasting performance, practical design, and aesthetic appeal for diverse spaces across the facility interiors.
Commenting on the project, Maggie Smith, Scotland Team Leader at Gerflor, said, “We initially had only our Olympic pedigree Taraflex sports flooring and Powershock 300 Rubber tiles specified with the architects on this project. As partners on the Framework Agreement with BAM, we collaborated closely with them to review the overall project and identify areas where cost savings could be achieved on the flooring package, which had originally been specified by another supplier. This approach allowed us to ensure the best possible outcome for both the client and the project.”
Elaborating on the specification decision, Maggie added, “At Gerflor and Gradus, we were able to offer a comprehensive flooring and accessories package that not only met the project’s functional and aesthetic requirements but also delivered significant cost efficiencies. By tailoring our solution to align with the budgetary goals without compromising on quality, we demonstrated the value of working with a supplier who can provide both innovation and cost-effectiveness.”
The responsibility for installing the flooring products and accessories for this high-profile project fell to Veitchi Flooring, one of the UK’s largest and most respected flooring contractors.
Recognised as a market leader, Veitchi Flooring has built a reputation for setting the benchmark in quality and professionalism across the industry. With headquarters in Glasgow and additional offices in Dundee and Aberdeen, Veitchi Flooring offers the capacity and flexibility to handle contracts of any scale across the UK. Their extensive expertise and specialist knowledge allow them to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer, ensuring exceptional results every time.
Commenting on the specification of Gerflor and Gradus products, Jamie Cargill, Contracts Supervisor at Veitchi Flooring, said, “The Dunfermline Learning Campus project was awarded through an open tender process, competing against other major flooring contractors across the UK. The client required a range of options to achieve cost savings without compromising quality. We recommended Gerflor and Gradus products because of their exceptional design appeal, durability, performance, and competitive price point … these were key factors in delivering an effective overall solution.”
Discussing the installation process, Jamie Cargill added, “Our team on site ranged from four to ten fitters, including one apprentice and a visiting supervisor. The project was completed within a fifty-week timescale, from start to finish, ensuring we met all deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship.”
The creation of Dunfermline Learning Campus has been a true collaborative effort, bringing together key stakeholders such as Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Futures Trust. The project was procured and managed by hub East Central Scotland, ensuring that the campus was delivered on schedule and to the highest quality standards, meeting the needs of both the educational institutions and the local community.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, commented, “This is an important milestone for the Dunfermline Learning Campus, and I know that the new school building will be of significant benefit to pupils, teachers and the local community.” Her statement reflects the broader impact of the project, highlighting its long-term value to the educational experience and for the area as a whole.
Summing up the project Jamie Cargill ended by saying, “Veitchi, BAM construction and the client are extremely pleased with how the new school has turned out. We have used Gerflor and Gradus products in the past on many varied projects with outstanding success. We will continue to specify Gerflor and Gradus for their consistently high-quality products that excel in both performance and design.”
Not only a centre of learning excellence the building is also a great asset to the local community. The modern sports facilities are fully accessible by pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community and can accommodate the needs of both large groups and individual users alike.
Maggie Smith concluded, “The new installation of interior flooring and accessory products from Gerflor and Gradus deliver an impressive visual impact. The school has only been open a few months and the client is delighted with the final finish and overall performance of our world class products.”
With the addition of the Gerflor Winsford Warehouse in 2020/21, which boasts over half a million m² of flooring readily available on its shelves, the Dunfermline Learning Campus project benefited significantly from streamlined supply chain management. This state-of-the-art facility not only ensures an extensive stock of bestselling products but also reduces lead times and supports efficient distribution across the UK.
For the Dunfermline project, this meant having immediate access to the required flooring materials without delays, ensuring that the project timeline was met seamlessly. The strategic location of the warehouse further enhanced logistical efficiency, enabling quick and reliable delivery to the site. By leveraging the scale and capability of Winsford’s operations, Gerflor demonstrated its ability to handle large-scale projects with precision and consistency, reinforcing its reputation for excellence in supply chain management.