Usher Institute

The building provides world-leading facilities for the Usher Institute from its site in Edinburgh BioQuarter in the city's south-east. Home to an institute for interdisciplinary teaching and research with global impact, the four-storey building has a gross internal area of 11,100 sqm and features research and working areas, collaboration zones, a clinical trials unit, a sound studio, bespoke ‘wellbeing’ spaces and numerous ground-floor amenities, which are also for public use.

A series of interconnected open and enclosed public spaces on the building’s ground floor supports the building’s outward focus to welcome in the public and foster community relationships, working with local schools and businesses to showcase the driving forces behind health and social care. This will be partially fulfilled through the ground-floor event hall, which has a capacity of 170 people and can be used for conferences, teaching, and community engagement. The building hosts two public entries to welcome university staff, partners, visitors and the public.

The primary entrance on the north corner features a dramatic double-height entry while also providing a direct connection to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, emphasising the hospital’s relationship to the Usher Institute. Being a building at the ‘heart’ of the BioQuarter, the two entries on the ground floor support the building’s open and connected spaces, approachable from multiple directions. The materiality of the building serves to reinforce its civic nature, offering a sense of permanence and solidity that invokes Edinburgh’s historic architecture that is achieved with the strategic use of modern materials, such as glass reinforced concrete (GRC).

Central to the design are initiatives that prioritise health-focused ways of working, from incorporating natural light into all building areas through light wells, to access to fresh air in most open-plan areas that allow occupants individual control of their immediate environment. Large windows speak to the institute's collective nature, encouraging collaboration across zones and bringing users together in a post-COVID environment. They also offer far-reaching views from each desk, including Craigmillar Castle. It was important from the design brief that the Usher Building feel timelessly situated within the rich heritage of the University of Edinburgh, visually connected to the city’s historic castles, while achieving a contemporary outlook that demonstrates the innovation of its inner team. This is accomplished by the simple, repetitive arrangement of its solid façade – made from GRC – which ensures the building acts as a recognizable identity for the university. Hassell chose GRC as the principal cladding material. Incorporating lightweight cladding rather than precast solid panels allows varied geometrical arrangements, which create a sense of depth and structural economy without blocking viewpoints. Hassell’s design for the Usher Building began with an internal layout focused on creating a dynamic, collegiate environment.

The building offers numerous opportunities for academic and commercial research, including partnerships with new Scottish enterprises, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. It features a variety of workspaces, communal zones, cafes, project rooms and presentation areas. Flexible event spaces, seminar rooms, and meeting rooms are available for all occupants, promoting mobility and interaction. The final design prioritises physical and mental health, featuring open staircases in natural lightwells, healthy cafe options, ample cycle parking and shower facilities, and tea points to encourage casual encounters. Notably, wellbeing spaces with controlled indoor-outdoor areas have been designed to both host larger elements of greenery and be used year-round.

The spaces can be used actively for yoga or table tennis, and quiet contemplation, such as a library or herb garden. Designed with post-pandemic lifestyles in mind, the building accommodates 900 people and encompasses agile working principles. At its core, it promotes innovation, collaboration, and the changing needs of current and future occupants.