St. Nessan’s is a new-build 750 pupil secondary school. The design adopts a courtyard-type building layout which is appropriate to achieving security, community and integration. A predominantly two-storey arrangement was chosen in response to the briefing requirements and the site restriction presented by the existing school building while under construction. In addition to being a focal point at the heart of the school the courtyard serves a variety of functions including circulation, external teaching and spill out space during events.

Internally, the focal point in the building is a two-storey general-purpose area, which has fully glazed walls maximising views and daylight towards the courtyard and the main entrance.