Building Design

Young Architect of the Year winner Nord is on a glittering short list of Scottish firms competing to redevelop one of the country's most prestigious public schools. The 1818 grade A listed Dollar Academy in Scotland's central belt, designed by William Playfair, requires extensive modernisation. Under the guidance of governor and ex-pupil John McAslan, the institution has short-listed seven firms, also including Richard Murphy, Page & Park, and Gareth Hoskins, to draw up a 10-year masterplanning strategy. “This is an ambitious project and the short list is full of well known names,” Nord director Alan Pert said. “We seem to have turned a corner in terms of the scale of our work. Off the back of the YAYA win, we are getting involved in lists which previously we weren't.”