McLaughlin & Harvey have completed the construction of the University of Edinburgh’s new Engineering Forum building, home to the School of Engineering’s Institute for Energy Systems (IES) and which is now open to staff and students.
The new facility, delivered via the SCAPE Scotland Framework, brings together the University’s engineering community in fresh spaces for learning, research, student-led innovation and socialising.
The 6500m2 steel-framed building spans over five levels. It will deliver facilities that will directly support experiential learning and active research into renewable energy systems, acting as a ‘living lab’ for emerging technologies in the fields of renewable energy, power systems and electronics.
We’re proud to have delivered our 7th project for our valued client, The University of Edinburgh. Working within a live campus environment can present its challenges, however, close collaboration with the university and our design partners has resulted in a cutting-edge learning space for future students studying at the university’s new School of Engineering building.
Dougie McCusker, Construction Director
McLaughlin & Harvey
Some of the building’s features include fully accessible spaces for teaching, studying and meeting, including a sub-divisible 120-person conference room, two 50-seat classrooms, a student innovation teaching space, a computer teaching laboratory, a Power Teaching Lab, and breakout spaces. There are dedicated student support spaces, including new offices for the school’s Engineering Teaching Organisation, as well as a ground-floor café and outdoor terrace.
The build also features expanded facilities for the IES, which delivers world-leading research in low carbon energy systems, technology and policy, providing its staff, researchers and students with new research labs, meeting rooms and offices.
The integral sustainable design and technology of a rooftop photovoltaic array will convert sunlight into renewable energy to power the building. The net zero Living Lab will enable researchers to monitor the building’s energy use in real time via microsensors installed on all floors and test out innovative heating systems to pave the way for further energy savings in future.
This project forms part of the wider physical transformation of the King’s Buildings Campus at the University of Edinburgh. The Nucleus Building was built by McLaughlin & Harvey and opened in 2022, along with other projects across the University, including the Usher Institute in 2024 and the Roslin Innovation Centre in 2017.
The Engineering Forum provides an outstanding environment for both teaching and research. Designed to support innovative approaches to integrated learning and discovery, it equips students with the skills and experience required to shape the future of engineering and technology. As a focal point for engineering excellence, it reinforces the University’s standing as a global leader in research and innovation, while enhancing the student experience and contributing to Scotland’s reputation as a centre for technological advancement.
Professor Guangzhao Mao
Head of the School of Engineering
SCAPE Scotland are delighted with the successful completion of McLaughlin & Harvey’s 3rd project with The University of Edinburgh through our construction frameworks. The success is not just measured by the quality of the building delivered for the University, but also the volume of social value and community benefits provided as part of the overall project.
Gary Meechan
Framework Director, SCAPE Scotland