KJ Tait were commissioned by the University of Edinburgh to carry out the full design of the mechanical and electrical services installations for the new £37m, 100,000 ft2 office building for the Usher Institute at the Edinburgh BioQuarter.
Completed in the spring of 2024, The Usher Institute carries out transformative research that impacts upon healthcare and improves the health and wellbeing of patients, communities and populations locally and globally. The Institute brings together a critical mass of researchers with expertise in epidemiology, statistics and modelling, informatics, computer science, clinical science, sociology, social policy, governance, ethics, politics, medical law psychology, economics, geography, health promotion and medicine to create a truly interdisciplinary research institute.
The project involved the construction of a new five storey building with social areas, reflective spaces, core meeting, teaching and events spaces, and neighbourhood and partner work areas for 900 researchers, health and care providers, and industry partners focused on transforming the delivery of health and social care.
The new neighbourhood and partner work areas are mechanically ventilated which incorporate demand ventilation controls linked to CO2 sensors in the space/return air ductwork distribution together with variable air volume and constant air volume dampers within the ductwork distribution serving the areas.
These spaces are also provided with manual openable ventilators in the façade. These are not required to maintain acceptable conditions in the space, however, are available to Users in order that they can take some control of their environment.
The development’s renewable energy requirements are met through the performance of the building envelope to minimise heat loss and solar gain and a photovoltaic system mounted on the roof.
The building’s heating and cooling loads are served entirely by high efficiency air source heat pumps. Utilising both simultaneous heat pumps and multiple banks of reversible heat pumps, a comprehensive control system has been implemented to ensure process and User comfort is met throughout the year.
The building achieved an EPC A.
Project Team:
Architect - Hassell
Structural Engineer - Woolgar Hunter Engineers
Landscape Architect - Land Use Consultants Ltd
Acoustics - Sandy Brown
Main Contractor - McLaughlin & Harvey
MEP Contractor - Emtec Group
