11 Aug 2008

Napier University's Sighthill Plans Approved

The City of Edinburgh Council has approved a detailed planning application which will see Napier University redevelop its Sighthill Campus.



As part of the University's £100 million estates strategy, the redeveloped campus will bring the Faculty of Health, Life & Social Sciences together under one roof for the first time, and provide first-rate learning, teaching and research facilities for the 5,000 students and staff who will study there.

Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Napier University, said: "We are delighted with the decision from the City of Edinburgh Council which allows us to forge ahead with the redevelopment of Sighthill Campus, which is central to our ambitious estates strategy.



"As Napier has just been named the number one university in Scotland for graduate employability, our investment in the Sighthill Campus comes at a very exciting time. The new campus will provide students and staff with hi-tech, well-designed facilities fit for a twenty-first century university and will create a landmark for the area."

The development will also significantly contribute to the wider regeneration of North Sighthill and the local economy. The construction programme alone will support in the region of 100 full-time jobs. And from 2010 the staff and students based there will bring major economic benefits to the surrounding area.

Demolition work began on-site in spring 2008 and Sighthill will re-open for the start of the academic year 2010/11.

The plans include a new building adjacent to the refurbished central spine of the existing building and a glass front atrium which will create a social hub for the building. The new campus will be student-focused and contain a variety of mixed learning spaces, including a Learning Resource Centre, clinical skills laboratories, IT-enabled lecture theatres and seminar rooms and sports facilities.

The University worked closely with international architects RMJM to draw up plans for the new campus, as well as undertaking extensive consultation with a range of partners and stakeholders including local businesses, community councils, the City of Edinburgh Council, Stevenson College Edinburgh and NHS Lothian.

Paul Rodgers, Director, RMJM, said: "A key milestone has been reached by the council's decision. We are looking forward to working closely with all parties involved to ensure that the new campus reflects the needs of a modern university."

The proposals are being progressed by a design team led by RMJM architects, Jones Lang LaSalle, Heery International, Buro Happold and Cyril Sweett.



Media Release 22 Feb 2008
Napier University Development will Further Regeneration in West Edinburgh



Napier University has submitted a detailed planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council for the redevelopment of its Sighthill Campus. The development will significantly contribute to the wider regeneration of North Sighthill and the local economy. The construction programme alone will support in the region of 100 full-time jobs. And from 2010 the staff and students based there will bring major economic benefits to the surrounding area.

The University is seeking approval for its plans as part of its £100m estate strategy. The redeveloped campus will bring the Faculty of Health, Life & Social Sciences together under one roof for the first time, and provide first-rate learning, teaching and research facilities for the 5,000 students and staff who will study there.



Work is due to begin on-site in spring 2008 and Sighthill will re-open for the start of the academic year 2010/11.

Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of Napier University, said: “The redevelopment of the Sighthill Campus is central to our ambitious estate strategy and our application for detailed planning permission is a major step towards making our plans a reality. Our investment in the Sighthill Campus will provide students and staff with hi-tech, well-designed facilities fit for a twenty-first century university and will create a landmark for the area.”

The plans will include a new building adjacent to the refurbished central spine of the existing building and a glass front atrium which will create a social hub for the building. The new campus will be student focused and contain a variety of mixed learning spaces, including a Learning Resource Centre, clinical skills laboratories, IT-enabled lecture theatres and seminar rooms and sports facilities.

The University worked closely with architects RMJM to draw up plans for the new campus, as well as undertaking extensive consultation with a range of partners and stakeholders including local businesses, community councils, the City of Edinburgh Council, Stevenson College Edinburgh and NHS Lothian.

The proposals are being progressed by a design team led by RMJM architects, Jones Lang LaSalle, Heery International, Buro Happold and Cyril Sweet.



Napier University Building : Jack Kilby Centre - Richard Murphy Architects

Napier University Expansion : Sighthill Campus 26 Mar 2007

Napier University Sighthill Development architects : RMJM

Napier University Sighthill : Context

Napier Expansion at Merchiston
£8.5m refurbishment of the Merchiston campus, previously redeveloped by Richard Murphy Architects. Due to complete in 2010

Napier University Show : Interior Architecture Degree Show

Scottish Architecture: best Scottish Buildings of the last three decades



Edinburgh : back to index

Napier University : Craiglockhart

Edinburgh University Buildings

Napier University Camous : Craighouse

Comments / photos for the Napier University Sighthill Campus page welcome:
info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk

Napier University Edinburgh : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt