Edinburgh University School of Engineering Building

7 July 2026

Architects: BDP

University Of Edinburgh Unveils Flagship Engineering Forum

Photos by David Barbour

The University of Edinburgh’s new Engineering Forum is now complete, creating a major new destination for learning, research and collaboration at the heart of the King’s Buildings campus.

Designed by BDP, the School of Engineering, a 6,500sq m building brings together teaching, research, innovation and social spaces within a highly flexible environment designed to support the next generation of engineers. The project forms a vital part of the University’s long-term vision for the campus and has now opened its doors to staff and students.

The Engineering Forum provides specialist laboratories, flexible teaching spaces, computer laboratories, conference facilities, a dedicated innovation space, academic workspaces and informal areas for students and researchers to connect throughout the day. Designed around collaboration and adaptability, the building supports world-class research in renewable energy, power systems and future electronics while creating a new focal point for the engineering community. Among its specialist facilities is the Wolfson Electrical Power Conversion Laboratory, which will support the development of sustainable energy technologies for offshore renewables and other low-carbon energy systems.

BDP was appointed in 2017 to help shape a long-term vision for the School of Engineering and its estate at the King’s Buildings campus. The Engineering Forum emerged from that work, bringing together teaching, research and collaboration spaces within a single, highly connected building designed around the needs of students, academics and industry partners.

Daniel Mayers, Associate Architect at BDP, said: “Engineering is about bringing people, ideas and technologies together to solve real-world challenges. This building has been designed around that principle from day one.

“Our own practice is built on technical knowledge and multidisciplinary working, and you can see that understanding in the laboratory environments, open social spaces and collaboration areas that come together to form the whole. Every part of the building is focused on supporting the people who will use it every day.

So, it’s rewarding to see students, researchers and academics now moving into the building. Working closely with the University and the wider project team, we have created a place that feels ambitious, welcoming and ready for the future.”

Located alongside the University’s existing engineering and research facilities, the building strengthens connections across disciplines while supporting hands-on learning and industry engagement. Its flexible layout allows teaching, research and student-led activity to sit alongside one another, creating opportunities for collaboration across the School and beyond.

From day-to-day teaching and student projects to pioneering research into future energy systems, the Engineering Forum has been designed to support the full breadth of engineering activity. By bringing people together in a single connected environment, it creates new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and discovery across one of the UK’s leading engineering schools.

BDP

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we’ve been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we’ve been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we’ve brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

We’re proud of the places we’ve shaped and the lives we’ve touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.
www.bdp.com

Edinburgh University School of Engineering Building building development images / information from BDP architects practice 070726

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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