Usher Building now operational – and contractors win gold!

We are excited to share that the Usher Building is now occupied and operational following the official handover of keys to The University of Edinburgh in March.

Since mid-April, colleagues from the Usher Institute have been relocating to this cutting-edge facility at Edinburgh BioQuarter. Joining them by the end of May will be the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine College Office and the Academic and Clinical Central Office for Research and Development (ACCORD).

The Usher Building will foster collaboration among Usher Institute staff and students alongside public, private, and third sector partners. Funded as part of the City Region Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland, the building was designed by architects Hassell with principal contractor McLaughlin & Harvey completing the build.

Accessible to all, the building will offer a range of teaching and event spaces in addition to office and social areas. Just now, colleagues are settling in to their neighbourhoods, informal meeting and social spaces. AV technologies are being installed in order to support hybrid meetings in all relevant spaces. Snagging activities are ongoing, being efficiently managed amidst the bustling moving-in period.

Considerate Constructor Gold Award

Principal Contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd, has been awarded a Gold National Site Award at the Considerate Constructor Scheme’s annual awards, in recognition of the practices and high standards of 'considerate construction' during the project in 2023.

This is a prestigious accolade in the construction industry and for the project team onsite who worked proactively to demonstrate the site’s positive impact on the local community, environment, and workforce conditions.

There was a strong commitment to community engagement with hoardings, posters and information prominently displayed; engagement with local schools and universities to promote construction careers; and support given to community organisations such as the local food bank.

The company demonstrated a dedication to environmental responsibility, evident in its health and safety accreditations and rigorous environmental inspections and the building's facilities are designed with eco-friendliness in mind.

Ongoing plans

The Usher Building’s official opening is scheduled for the first part of 2025 with a year-long festival of events planned to celebrate our new space and connect with our local and global communities.

In the meantime, as we navigate this settling-in phase, we are exploring exciting opportunities to showcase the narratives of public health and data science within this innovative space.

We are proud of all the building’s achievements so far. Please keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities and events to visit and experience the building first-hand!

Further information

Usher Building at Edinburgh BioQuarter | The University of Edinburgh

Ten projects awarded as CCS National Awards return | McLaughlin & Harvey