The Usher Building, a significant addition to the rapidly expanding health innovation district of Edinburgh BioQuarter in Scotland’s capital city, was officially opened on Thursday 26 June by The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The University of Edinburgh facility was built by McLaughlin & Harvey and will accelerate collaboration and innovation within population health sciences. It will serve both the Usher Institute’s academic research centres through state-of-the-art facilities and strengthen collaboration with its public, private and third sector partners.
Special guests at the opening ceremony included the Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, and Marie Todd MSP, Junior Minister for Health, alongside university academics and leaders.
Designed by architects Hassell, with key engineering by KJ Tait and Woolgar Hunter, McLaughlin & Harvey managed the construction of the 11,000m2, four-storey building. It was recently highly commended in the European Healthcare Design Awards. It is the first new University building to rely solely on air-source heat pumps, which is an energy-efficient alternative to gas heating.
Following our successful delivery of the Usher Building, a world-class centre for health and social care research, it is great to be here today at its official opening and see the building in use and functioning. The contribution of our project team extended beyond the design and build to optimise the utilisation of local labour and support community organisations throughout project delivery. Members from each of our core disciplines are present today and are being recognised for their contributions to this state-of-the-art building.
Steve Irvine
Operations Director, McLaughlin & Harvey
The opening of the Usher Building is a major step forward for the University of Edinburgh – and wider society – in reimagining how we improve health and social care. By bringing together researchers, clinicians and industry experts, we have created a dynamic hub that will drive innovation for the benefit of all. It is inspiring to shine a light on the outstanding work underway here and, together with the United Nations and many other key partners, we remain committed to advancing these critical efforts to improve lives.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh
It was an honour to attend the opening of this fantastic state-of-the-art facility alongside so many eminent guests from the health and social care sectors. Backed by £48.5 million of UK Government funding, the Usher Institute provides an inspiring environment where academics, healthcare professionals and industry partners can collaborate on pioneering research and development to tackle challenges faced by our communities and improve well-being. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with partners to deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal.
Rt Hon Ian Murray MP
Secretary of State for Scotland
The opening of the University of Edinburgh’s new Usher Building marks a significant step forward in health innovation. The innovations by the Usher Institute will help renew the NHS in Scotland and, as a WHO Collaborating Centre, transform healthcare around the globe. This development will drive growth across the region, which is why the Scottish Government is proud to support it through our Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal investment.
Maree Todd MSP
Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport
The University received £49.2m capital funding through the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal for the design and construction of the building, with £48.5m from the UK Government and £0.7m from the Scottish Government.