A major construction milestone has been achieved at Dollar Academy with the completion of the steel frame for the school's new pioneering eco-education building.

To celebrate the occasion, a steel signing ceremony was held on-site this week for the project, which is being delivered by Robertson Construction Central East.

The two-storey, domed structure will serve as the permanent headquarters for the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA). Launched in 2021, FIDA is a progressive educational initiative that provides young people across Scotland with access to courses focused on sustainability, enterprise, and equality, all rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The building's striking design is the work of world-renowned architect Andrew Whalley OBE, Chairman of Grimshaw and a former pupil of the school. Whalley is famously known for his work on the Eden Project in Cornwall, and the new Institute reflects that expertise with its lightweight geodesic timber dome. Clad in high-tech insulated polymer pillows, the roof is engineered to maximise passive solar gain in winter while providing natural ventilation during the summer months.

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Sustainability is at the core of the construction process. The building features an exposed frame made primarily of "green steel"—produced in electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy—which significantly lowers the project's embodied carbon. This commitment to the environment aims to make the facility the first in Scotland to achieve "Living Building" certification.

Inside, the Institute will house a science lab, a large lecture theatre, a maker space, and an engineering lab. It will also feature a digital prototyping suite, a photography studio, and flexible open-plan teaching areas. These cutting-edge facilities will allow the FIDA programme to transition from its current weekend and online-focused model into a full-time, inclusive learning hub accessible to students from all over Scotland.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Robertson Group, commented: "The Futures Institute at Dollar Academy brings progressive sustainable design and education together in one place and the steel signing today marks a major milestone on the project. The building shows how flexible, highly adaptable learning spaces can support innovative teaching approaches and will provide a setting that enables the Futures Institute to extend its reach to more young people across Scotland."

Ian Munro, Rector at Dollar Academy, added: "Dollar Academy has always promoted the transformative power of education, and this idea is at the very heart of FIDA. The new building will create a world-class teaching and learning space that nurtures creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. The building's unique design promotes fusion between all subjects – enabling pupils to see how the knowledge gained from one discipline can be used in an impactful way in another."

The project is also contributing to the local economy by supporting apprenticeships and employment within the Robertson supply chain.

Picture: Artist impression of the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy. Image: Grimshaw