From 1.30pm 18 November 2022.
Site entrance off Porters Walk, Edinburgh. EH3 9GJ
SEDA Building visits return! Join us for a rare chance to see inside the large scale refurbishment and extension of the landmark Royal Infirmary, to the new Edinburgh Futures Institute for Edinburgh University converting the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and designed by Bennetts Associates with Consarc.
You may have seen the presentation on the project at a SEDA Greensdrinks by Rab and Denise Bennetts a few years back, so come down and see how those ambitions are being realised, while it's ongoing. You can see how the old fabric is being upgraded for modern, low energy standards, and new elements are being slotted in between, and can ask contractors and designers your questions about how this is happening and how it is all going to work in detail.
There will be two tours, with limited numbers on each, with the tours (at 1.30pm and 3.00pm) being lead by Iain Tinsdale, project architects for Bennett's Associates. Tickets are free, with only 15 places on each, set get in quick and choose which you wish to join. These are expected to be in high demand so if you have to then drop out, please cancel your place!
As this is a live construction site and the contractors will provide safe access, with protective gear. But do note that access, while it will be fine for the majority of people, it may not be suitable for some people with limited mobility, so please contact us if you aren’t sure if it will be possible.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Project Info:
Edinburgh Futures Institute , University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary, a Grade A listed building at the heart of the City, is to be the setting for a major new facility for Edinburgh University.
With the medical facilities now gone, the historic surgical building is to be restored, extended and upgraded to form a wide range of teaching and learning spaces, function areas and workspace for academics, all linked together by broad circulation routes and dynamic spatial volumes. Having remained empty and disused for thirteen years, the revitalised building will transform its local environment, with a major new public space and several points of access from Lauriston Place, Middle Meadow Walk and the Quartermile development.
For both the University and the City of Edinburgh it is a project of the greatest significance, with the potential to create a sequence of physical and intellectual links with nearby educational faculties and the City beyond.
The completed project will have a stature and scale that identifies it as one of Edinburgh University’s primary institutions within the City centre, alongside the Old College and the McEwan Hall.
The many additions and alterations to the building have largely been detrimental to the historic fabric and character. There is also significant decay to the building fabric, due partly to the passage of time but also as a result of water ingress, leading to wet and dry rot outbreaks. The interior finishes are largely modern, with successive layers of interventions, and mostly now in very poor condition.
The proposals provide around 21,000 sqm of floor space, of which 5,800 sqm is new construction. The main construction period started in 2018 and will be ready for occupation by the University in late 2023.
Architect: Bennetts Associates, Conservation Architect: Consarc