University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre building project, 7 Bristo Square architecture photos
University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre Building
19 May 2022
Design: Page\Park Architects
Location: 7 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, south east Scotland
Photos by Keith Hunter
University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre by Page\Park
For the first time, the University of Edinburgh’s new Health and Wellbeing Centre brings together the institution’s previously disconnected Counselling and Disability services, Pharmacy and Health Centre, in a now fully accessible facility. Dedicated to the prevention and treatment of mental and physical health issues, both clinically and holistically, the Centre has become a beacon for the promotion student and staff well-being.
7 Bristo Square, a Modernist former Refectory, had been earmarked for demolition. What began as a light-touch, temporary fix to smarten a tired, unloved part of the Central Area, has resuscitated the building. We believe that re-use of an existing building is an inherently sustainable approach. This not only ensures the maximum use of material lifespan but, reduces waste.
We worked closely with the university to analyse existing service accommodation, facilities and provision, to understand requirements and future needs. The new facility needed to balance visibility and openness with discretion, confidentiality, and security. With its inaccessibility to wheelchair users and confusing separate entrances to each of the existing services, creating a single, democratic, public front door would be key to simplifying and unifying the building.
Peeling back decades of unsympathetic interventions, reconfiguring its internal layout to create fully accessible routes, and introducing a new front door and arcade onto Bristo Square, has resulted in an innovative, student-focussed facility at the heart of the University’s Central Area Campus. The programme provides a 50% increase in one-to-one consultation space provision, a student Wellbeing Lounge (for social connection rather than study), dedicated space for quiet reflection or contemplation, and multipurpose workshop rooms for activities ranging from group counselling to yoga sessions.
New architectural elements are purposefully restrained and make use of the building’s existing Modernist cues – simple floorplates, voids, and natural light – to filter light deep into the plan.
Structural modification was minimised to avoid disruption of live, occupied, clinical settings, but new lifts connect ground, first and second floors. Circulation widths and glazing have been treated differently to contrast open and public routes with more private and discrete. A new Changing Places Toilet has also been provided – the first in the Central Area Campus.
Colour, finishes, and wayfinding were critical, playing a vital role in student experience. Working with staff and students, a colour palette and fittings were selected to evoke familiarity and sense of place using natural tones and textures inspired by the cherry blossoms at the Meadows.
The Health and Wellbeing Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland – Building Information
Project Name: University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre
Architects: Page\Park
Website: http://pagepark.co.uk
Contact person: Catriona Macdonald
Contact email: c.macdonald@pagepark.co.uk
Contact phone: 0141 553 5440
Completion year: 2021
Approx. Gross floor area: 3180m2
Project location: University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre
7 Bristo Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9AL
Photo credits: Keith Hunter
OTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Lead Architect: Catriona Macdonald
Page\Park team: Catriona Macdonald, Colin Glover, Jamie Hamilton, Christine Turnbull
Client: University of Edinburgh
Structural Engineers: ARUP
Services Engineers: Harley Haddow
Fire Engineers: Atelier Ten
Acoustic Engineers: Sandy Brown
Cost Consultant: Thomson Bethune
Principal Designer: Page\Park (advised by CDM-Scotland)
Main Contactor: Morrison Construction Scotland
Arthur Mackay
SELECTED MANUFACTURERS / PRODUCTS
Precast – Acid-etched Architectral Precast, Plean Precast
Marmoleum – Solid and Splash, Forbo
Rubber – Signa, Nora
Sofas / chairs – Bali, Johannson (supplied by Claremont Furniture)
The Health and Wellbeing Centre Edinburgh Garage Conversion images / information from received 180522
Scottish Buildings
Edinburgh Architecture Designs – chronological list
New National Centre For Music
image courtesy of architects practice
New National Centre For Music Edinburgh
St James Quarter, central Edinburgh
Architects: BDP Glasgow studio + Allan Murray Architects
St James Quarter Edinburgh
Dublin Street Lane South Mews Houses
Design: DS Architecture
photo : Ross Campbell
Dublin Street Lane South Mews Houses
Literature House for Scotland, John Knox House, Edinburgh
Winning Architects: Witherford Watson Mann ; Groves-Raines Architects Studios ; Studio MB
photo © Daniel Lomholt-Welch
Literature House for Scotland
A recent architectural design in Scotland by Page\Park Architects on e-architect:
Milngavie Streetscape, Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK
photograph : ZAC and ZAC
Milngavie Streetscape, East Dunbartonshire
Comments / photos for the University of Edinburgh Health and Wellbeing Centre, Scotland, property design by Page\Park Architects page welcome