THE final planning stage has been approved to enable Dollar Academy to begin construction on their pioneering Futures Institute.

The project was approved by Clackmannanshire Council, which will see the private school build a physical home for their progressive educational programme, the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA).

The new domed building will sit inside the main entrance to the school, has been designed with a focus on sustainability, embodying the core principles of the FIDA initiative.

Ian Munro, rector at Dollar Academy, said: “We are delighted that the Future Institute has now received planning permission, marking another significant milestone for this ambitious project.

“The building will create a sector-leading teaching and learning space, where young people can work together and design solutions to real world problems in an inspiring environment.

“It is our hope that learners throughout Scotland will have the chance to undertake FIDA courses during their time at school.”

The FIDA initiative has already offered over 550 young people across the country the opportunity to learn in a different way, concurrent with the three core principles.

These principles are at the forefront of education at FIDA and include designing a solution to real-world problems, their courses firmly rooted in one of the UN sustainable development goals and all content is co-created with experts from industry and/or universities.

The FIDA education is currently offered to select pupils online and during weekends or school holidays, with the new building aiming to be the hub for advanced education at Dollar Academy.

The Futures Institute will be designed by world-renowned architect Andrew Whalley OBE and will feature state-of-the-art learning environments, a digital prototyping suite, a science lab and creative art spaces.

Whalley, chairman of Grimshaw Architects, said: “The Futures Institute building is an exemplar of sustainable architecture.

“The design aspects go beyond energy generation and integrating quality of light and natural ventilation; this building considers biodiversity, and its place in the broader landscape.

“The Futures Institute will empower and inspire the next generation to tackle the global problems, such as climate change, we now all face.”

Construction on the project is expected to commence shortly.

For more information on the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy, visit dollaracademy.org.uk/hub.