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Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus

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Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) History of Art Reid School of Music School of Art School of Design Campus building works
A computer render showing the relandscaped quad with trees, paving and grass.

A computer render showing the relandscaped quad with trees, paving and grass.

The two-year project will transform the campus from within, opening up and unlocking difficult spaces and increasing the usability of our spaces, including the external courtyard area. 

Work will take place in the Main Building, North East Studio Building (NESB), Evolution House, Hunter Building and Fire Station. No new buildings will be constructed. 

The project’s key objectives include: 

  • Defining a more outward-facing ECA with a new reception and outreach space in the Engine Room of the Fire Station and new landscaping to the Lauriston Place frontage. This will help define a more positive threshold and entrance sequence to the campus and address how ECA engages with Lauriston Place and the city.  
  • Fully refurbishing the Fire Station to create a flexible and adaptable staff hub that addresses the needs of the post-covid hybrid working environment whilst accommodating student-facing facilities on the lower levels.  
  • Relocating maker and digital fabrication facilities to the Main Building and the Stables to create centralised resources for all disciplines.   
  • Transforming the landscape in the courtyard to create a cohesive and accessible campus. As well as encourage outdoor learning and events.  
  • Improving accessibility across the campus.  

The project will be split into two phases. 

  • Phase 1 (April 2024 – April 2025) will fully refurbish the Fire Station and Stables buildings and involve consolidating staff office space into the Fire Station. It will also see the building of a new materials hub and digital fabrication workshops. 
  • Phase 2 (April 2025 – March 2026) will see the creation of new studio spaces, plus phased work to Evolution House, the Main Building, the Hunter Building and the North East Studio Building.   

Additional work includes relandscaping the central quad, removing the cars and making it easier to move between buildings and creating clearer wayfinding. 

The car park in front of the Hunter Building will also be replaced with a new landscaped space to create a welcoming environment for all users and encourage activity in the space.

Contact

justask.estates@ed.ac.uk