University of Edinburgh unveils flagship engineering forum

The University of Edinburgh’s new Engineering Forum is now complete, creating a major new destination for learning, research and collaboration at the heart of the King’s Buildings campus.

Designed by BDP, the School of Engineering building brings together teaching, research, innovation and social spaces within a flexible environment designed to support the next generation of engineers. The project forms part of the university’s long-term vision for the campus and has now opened its doors to staff and students.

The forum provides specialist laboratories, flexible teaching spaces, computer laboratories, conference facilities, a dedicated innovation space, academic workspaces and informal areas for students and researchers to connect throughout the day.

Designed around collaboration and adaptability, the building supports research in renewable energy, power systems and future electronics while creating a new focal point for the engineering community.

Among its specialist facilities is the Wolfson Electrical Power Conversion Laboratory, which will support the development of sustainable-energy technologies for offshore renewables and other low-carbon energy systems.

BDP was appointed in 2017 to help shape a long-term vision for the School of Engineering and its estate at the King’s Buildings campus. The forum emerged from that work, bringing together teaching, research and collaboration spaces within a single, highly connected building designed around the needs of students, academics and industry partners.

Daniel Mayers, associate architect at BDP, said: “Engineering is about bringing people, ideas and technologies together to solve real-world challenges. This building has been designed around that principle from day one.

“Our own practice is built on technical knowledge and multidisciplinary working, and you can see that understanding in the laboratory environments, open social spaces and collaboration areas that come together to form the whole. Every part of the building is focused on supporting the people who will use it every day.

So, it’s rewarding to see students, researchers and academics now moving into the building. Working closely with the university and the wider project team, we have created a place that feels ambitious, welcoming and ready for the future.”

BDP, which was founded in 1961, is based at 19 locations globally, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

www.bdp.com