Zumtobel Group illuminates the path to educational excellence

The £16.4 million Milltimber School, part of the Oldfold Farm development, earned the Aberdeen Society of Architects (ASA) Education Design Award 2023. As part of a £100 million investment by Aberdeen City Council in four new schools, the facility offers modern, sustainable, and inclusive learning spaces for the growing catchment area.

To meet the evolving educational needs of the community, the ambitious project aimed to create spaces that encourage active learning and enhance student experiences.

A key success of the design was how the spaces between the buildings were utilised to create moments that could enhance curriculum delivery. The shape and structure of the rooms, alongside colourful wayfinding and nature-themed supergraphics, reflect the natural forms of nearby landscapes and help define the character within the school’s spaces.

Zumtobel and its sister brand Thorn, both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group, helped the new Milltimber School become an award-winning educational facility, promoting sustainability, wellbeing, and a conducive learning environment.

Wallace Whittle M&E practice, said, “The lighting design was a dynamic process due to changing spaces, but Zumtobel’s adaptability, wide range of luminaires and history of successful projects made them the perfect partner for this project.”

Today, the school boasts a sophisticated lighting solution that enhances the learning environment and meets sustainability goals.

A combination of Zumtobel and Thorn luminaires have provided the biggest visual impact, creating a natural and comfortable learning environment within the classrooms. From the nursery, corridors, and bathrooms, to the classroom, back of house areas and sports hall, the lighting design includes Zumtobel’s SLOTLIGHT infinity, ALVA, ONDARIA, CRAFT II plus, RESCLITE PRO, and PANOS Q, alongside Thorn Lighting’s IQ Wave, Chalice, Beta2, Aquaforce, Piazza, Katona, and Omega Pro 2

The services and lighting have all been positioned to allow easy installation of class division partitions should an alternative layout be required, allowing the school to adapt the spaces for future use.

The lighting installation has resulted in significant benefits, including low energy use, low maintenance costs, and a positive impact on the overall learning experience for both students and staff.

Zumtobel and Thorn’s lighting solutions were crucial in making the Milltimber School a success. Their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating spaces that enhance education, aligns with the school’s vision, resulting in a broader trend of smart, energy-efficient lighting in educational facilities.

Zumtobel and Thorn have also provided lighting solutions for the three other schools within the project, demonstrating their expertise in creating conducive learning environments in educational spaces. These projects, including Countesswells New Primary School and Torry New Primary School & Community Centre, showcasing Zumtobel and Thorn’s dedication to transforming education through innovative lighting solutions.