Recognised as an exemplar development within Carmarthenshire’s educational investment programme

As part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s flagship Modernising Education Programme, this two-stage design and build project delivered a new state-of-the-art primary school and nursery on a greenfield site opposite the existing school campus. The new facility accommodates 180 primary school pupils and provides space for an external provider to deliver 30 nursery places, supporting early years education in a modern, inclusive environment.

The design also incorporated flexibility for future expansion up to 250 places, using a standardised layout that allows for efficient adaptation without compromising the school’s performance or character.

The school was designed with a strong emphasis on health, wellbeing, and environmental performance, creating an inspiring and supportive environment for both pupils and staff. The architecture blends traditional elements such as pitched slate/tiled roofs and a mix of render and feature boarding with contemporary touches, including modern window styling and crisp detailing, to deliver a fresh yet contextually respectful design.

Located adjacent to Canolfan Pentref Cwmann, the local community centre, the school is intentionally positioned as a civic hub, supporting shared use of facilities and strengthening community links.

Certified BREEAM ‘Excellent’, the project adhered to the highest sustainability standards. A fabric-first approach was adopted in line with the Energy Hierarchy, prioritising reduction of energy demand through robust passive design before integrating low and zero carbon technologies.

Key sustainability features include:

• Materials specified primarily with Green Guide A+ ratings, minimising environmental impact

• Low-energy M&E systems designed by specialist consultants

• Maximised natural daylight and ventilation to improve indoor environmental quality

• Full compliance with BIM Level 2, ensuring coordinated design, risk reduction, and streamlined project delivery

The result is a highly energy-efficient, future-proofed school building that promotes occupant wellbeing and reduces operational costs over the long term.