Business and Institutional

HMP & YOI Stirling

United KingdomContractors: Johnston Joiners T/A JJ Projects, Morrison Construction

HMP & YOI Stirling - Gypsum International Trophy 2025

Project description

HMP & YOI Stirling is a new build custodial facility for 100 women. It replaces the original 1970’s construction, HMP Cornton Vale. Centred around mental wellbeing and with a trauma-focused approach, the design creates a therapeutic space.
Designed in collaboration with the Scottish Prisons Service (SPS), the response to the brief resulted in many windows to maximise natural light, enhancing the proximity to nature and aimed at decreasing stress and anxiety amongst inmates.
The facility required solutions that complement the biophilic design and provides a safe and secure environment. Product testing was a priority, as well as ensuring that contractors and installers were well trained.

Main information

Building size

117 capacity

Building purpose / type

Custodial facility

Building owner name

Scottish Government

Architect name

Holmes Miller

Contractors

Johnston Joiners T/A JJ Projects

Company name: Johnston Joiners T/A JJ Projects

Main Representative: Graeme Johnston

Number of collaborators: 75 employees

Specialties: Joinery, Drylining, SFS, Partitioning

Founded in: 2010

Biography: Fourteen years since establishing their business as Johnston Joiners, JJ Projects have completed projects ranging from £50,000 to £3 million in value. Delivering affordable, first-class service and high-quality workmanship, JJ Projects are trusted across the residential, retail, and commercial sectors. Their skilled team have vast expertise in drylining, joinery, SFS systems, partitioning, and they’ve played a key role in a variety of projects from schools to the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank.

Website: jjprojects.co.uk

Morrison Construction

Company name: Morrison Construction

Main Representative: David Ewing

Number of collaborators: 620 employees

Specialties: Construction, Infrastructure

Founded in: 1948

Biography: Founded by Alex Morrison in Tain, north of Inverness, Morrison Construction was family owned and family operated until 2000, when it was acquired by Anglian Water Group, with the construction arm of the business being sold to Galliford Try in 2004. As part of the Galliford Try group, Morrison Construction have delivered countless projects across Scotland, from brand new schools to iconic distilleries, highways, hospitals and more.

Website: www.morrisonconstruction.co.uk

Key Challenges

Bespoke Testing

The unique brief and facility’s purpose presented new challenges for the project team. Creativity and innovation were required whilst balancing the need for more traditional approaches to safety and operations.
Durability was a key factor in the specification of solutions throughout the facility and The Scottish Prisons Service (SPS) subjected British Gypsum’s systems to strenuous testing to ensure they met the required standards.
With British Gypsum representatives in attendance, tests included using a chair in timed tests to determine the level and duration of abuse that the system was able to withstand. Results determined the viability of products for areas within the facility.

Material Supply

The project faced unprecedented obstacles in the shape of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant delays to works on site. In addition to this major obstacle, the 2021 Suez Canal blockage compounded this issue, and meant a significant reduction in the availability of key materials.
To overcome these issues, the sub-contractor and British Gypsum worked together to ensure the site maintained the necessary volume of materials with help from Rigips in Germany. Efforts included stockpiling on site and early ordering to mitigate any delays.

Safety and Security

Rigidur, a dense and rigid gypsum fiberboard was specified for the project as it resists fire, withstands hard impact and reduces noise transference through partitions. The product handles differently to plasterboard in respect of cutting and fitting, therefore British Gypsum discussed Rigidur’s properties with contractors and installers and ensured each party was prepared to use the product.

Acoustic Performance

Acoustic performance is central to the project’s trauma-informed approach. To meet these stringent acoustic requirements, the contractors employed specialist detailing and carefully selected solutions to minimise noise transfer.
In addition to Rigidur, that reduces noise in busy areas, Gyproc SoundBloc was specified. The strong acoustic performance of this system helped to create quieter spaces, reducing stress amongst those living in them.

Collaboration

As the project was different in approach and design, there were no reference models for project teams to work with. It was imperative that teams collaborated frequently and effectively to ensure the client’s brief and architect’s vision were realised.

Key Achievements

Technical Support and Customer Service

The quality and reliability of British Gypsum’s systems and solutions, plus the technical expertise and assistance available to the customer was important to the success of the project. The sub-contractors were new to British Gypsum, and it was essential that they became familiar with the systems as quickly as possible. British Gypsum’s support and expertise made sure this was the case.

Product Testing

The project had specific, rigorous testing requirements, which all British Gypsum products passed, ensuring they struck the delicate balance of durability, acoustic and fire protection performance, whilst meeting the mental wellbeing focus of the brief.

Preferred Supplier

Such was the quality of the specified systems British Gypsum is now considered one of the first choices for specifications in Scottish prison projects.

Material Supply

Overcoming the huge challenges presented by the COVID pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage without any compromise on the quality or efficiency of the project is a major achievement and testament to the commitment and co-ordination of the project teams.

Perfect Finishing

The project was finished using tape and joint, which is the standard method in Scotland. Areas of Rigidur fibreboard benefitted from a full surface treatment with jointing materials to remove imperfections and achieve a perfect finish.

Awards

The project is recognised for its quality and innovation with a Gold award for Healthcare Building/Project at the Scottish Design Awards in 2024, and the Healthcare award at the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA) awards in 2023.

System Warranty

SpecSure® the British Gypsum systems warranty guarantees our systems will perform as specified, for the lifetime of the building.

Sustainability in the project

This project was focused entirely on creating an environment that would facilitate change for the better, and the design of the space was key to this. The use of biophilic design, which helps people feel connected to nature, helps provide an increase in air quality, and improves mental and physical health amongst everyone in the facility. From the light, airy spaces to the proximity to nature, the project team delivered a facility that improves the wellbeing of people in custody, the staff, and visitors.
The project closely followed Morrison Construction’s own sustainability roadmap, which targets a reduction in carbon emissions through using alternative fuels for plant machinery, cutting down on travel and offering carbon advice to clients.
Morrison Construction directly managed the gypsum, metal, wood and general recycling on the project. Skips on site separated the waste and Morrison managed the disposal from site and transportation to the relevant facilities.

Saint-Gobain products & systems

Glasroc X Sheathing Board 12.5mm

Structural steel frames

Gyproc SoundBloc 12.5mm

Gyproc CoreBoard 19mm

Shafts

Discover

Gyproc FireLine 12.5mm

Walls and ceilings

Discover

Rigidur H 12.5mm

Independent wall linings

Benefits

Impact resistant

Glasroc X Sheathing Board 12.5mm / Gyproc DuraLine 15mm / Rigidur H 12.5mm

Fire protection

GypWall Shaft / Gyproc CoreBoard 19mm / Gyproc FireLine 12.5mm / GypCeiling MF

Acoustic insulation

Gyproc SoundBloc 12.5mm /

JJ Project’s testimonial

Graeme Johnston

We’re delighted to have delivered this prestige project on behalf of our valued client. It was extremely challenging given it involved the COVID pandemic, and material shortages in the trade. This was a high-spec prison facility, and we’re delighted with the outcome.

Saint-Gobain Project Manager’s testimonial

George Conlin

It was a pleasure for British Gypsum to support this unique project, delivering solutions, including Rigidur, which were subject to direct testing by the SPS thereby proving the quality and robustness of the product. Working as a team we overcame supply issues due to COVID and worked in partnership with JJ Projects to ensure all involved were familiar with Rigidur, which ensured a smooth installation process.

Saint-Gobain Team

George Conlin

Photographer’s name

Chris Humphreys

Website

COUNTRY WEBSITE