The new Engineering Forum building brings together cutting-edge renewable energy research and state-of-the-art teaching facilities within the hub at King’s Buildings. The building encompasses advanced labs, collaborative learning spaces, and vibrant social areas and opened its doors on Monday 6 April 2026. Aerial view of Engineering Forum building. The new Engineering Forum, which opened in April 2026, is a landmark 6,500m² addition to the King’s Buildings campus. It is home to the School of Engineering’s Institute for Energy Systems (IES), supporting pioneering research into renewable energy and power systems both on- and offshore.This work is enhanced by five state-of-the-art research labs, including the Wolfson Foundation-supported Electrical Power Conversion Lab on the ground floor, while upper floors offer impressive views across campus to Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle. Communal space with tables and chairs Open working space Designed to inspire learning and collaboration, the building introduces seven high-quality teaching spaces, including four classrooms, a teaching studio, a hands-on student innovation lab, and a dedicated power teaching lab. The classrooms are named after influential female engineers from the University’s past, such as Maria Watkins, the first woman to study electrical engineering at the University and a former president of the Women’s Engineering Society.At its heart is the Forum Social Space, a self-serve café open to the entire University community, ideal for informal meetings and study sessions. The first floor houses the Engineering Teaching Organisation (ETO), the central hub for teaching and student support. The building is open from 8am to 6pm, the Engineering Forum provides a dynamic, inclusive environment for research, learning, and connection. Aerial view of Engineering Forum building. This article was published on 2024-08-05
