University of Edinburgh innovation hub unveiled
May 2 2018
Designed by Atkins the Charnock Bradley Building provides 7,000sq/m of shared facilities for students, staff and researchers in addition to a gym, student services, café, laboratory and exhibition space as well as start-up offices for biomedical companies.
Conceived as a ‘grounded triangular block’ faced in natural stone the hub boasts a living green wall complete with its own irrigation system to help it meld with the surrounding landscape and the next door Roslin Institute.
Lead architect Neil McLean said: “Our design allowed for open spaces that help build a community between the building users. We’ve designed to allow for maximum adaptability and flexibility within the building. The laboratory and office spaces, for example, can be easily arranged in an open-plan, group, or small-scale format depending on the end-user’s requirements. We wanted the building to be loose and flexible, and able to accommodate any use the tenants envision in future, optimising the space for collaboration and innovation.”
With a BREEAM Excellent rating the hub sits behind an elevated glazed ellipse with post-tension flat concrete slabs allowing for exposed soffits, affording the twin benefits of thermal mass cooling and stortage.
Photography by Tom Manley
A living wall helps blend the hub into the wider estate
One of sculptor Andy Scott's trademark Kelpies sculptures graces the main entrance
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9 Comments
#2 Posted by David on 3 May 2018 at 08:57 AM
...'Other sculpter's are available'...
#3 Posted by Jack Woltz on 3 May 2018 at 09:46 AM
Where's the architecture?
#4 Posted by admirer on 3 May 2018 at 10:01 AM
It looks great, nice to see some innovative screening and love the living walls!
#5 Posted by Juanito on 3 May 2018 at 12:54 PM
Perhaps a teacher of basic English is available too, David. SculptOrs do not pluralise their works of art by adding an "apostrophe s".
#6 Posted by Iain Duerr on 3 May 2018 at 13:14 PM
You have to take #2's point, though. Andy Scott's work is everywhere, to the point of tedium. Maybe someone else should be given a shot?
#7 Posted by Trombe Wall on 3 May 2018 at 14:07 PM
Re. Horse head. Surely the public art portion of the contract should be tendered, permitting anyone with necessary vision to enter, or is it, and the Kelpie guy keeps winning?
#8 Posted by Philip on 3 May 2018 at 14:34 PM
Its not a living wall. Its a part-living column thing. Totally pointless both visually and from a biodiversity point of view.
Visually, it looks like an architectural leg warmer.
The cut price Kelpie is embarrassing.
Visually, it looks like an architectural leg warmer.
The cut price Kelpie is embarrassing.
#9 Posted by rod on 3 May 2018 at 15:49 PM
oh you guys ! - this is decent building
yes the horsey thing is a bit naff but it’s the building its self is a pretty good effort
I think it’s nice, well done to all involved
yes the horsey thing is a bit naff but it’s the building its self is a pretty good effort
I think it’s nice, well done to all involved
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Pity about the mail order horses head. This ain’t art baby.