Usher Building

What's the purpose of the Usher Building?

Welcome to the Usher Building!

Here, The University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute is co-located with a community of partners from the public, private and third sectors - working on the shared purpose of developing data-enabled solutions to benefit health and wellbeing.

This fabulous new building, completed in 2024 and due to open formally in early 2025, has been designed to provide space and opportunities for academics, partners and the public to work and collaborate in new and innovative ways towards a shared purpose of developing data-enabled solutions to benefit health and wellbeing. The design of the spaces has been informed by feedback received from consultation groups. It is home to our on-campus Master of Public Health programme - with our students bringing enthusiasm and new perspectives each year - as well as being the base for our online postgraduate taught programmes. The ground floor is open to the public to come in - we have a bustling contemporary cafe and often hold events and activities open to all.

Its location is a core part of Edinburgh’s Health Innovation District, Edinburgh BioQuarter, and helps to develop links to the local community.

Architects Hassell - a multidisciplinary architecture, design and urban planning practice with offices in Australia, China, Singapore, USA and the United Kingdom - worked closely with other key designers including Woolgar Hunter and KJ Tait to deliver a fabulous building for The University of Edinburgh, constructed by principal contractor McLaughlin & Harvey. Funded as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, the project has benefited from additional generous support from the Wolfson Foundation.

The project has been featured in a case study by Locogen for the Scottish Government highlighting our forward-thinking zero direct emissions heating system - we opted for a building with no gas supply, relying on an air source heat pump system to heat the building.

We look forward to welcoming you into this exciting new space.

Inside the Usher Building

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