A modern veterinary school building with a striking front elevation, showcasing a combination of reflective glass, clean white panels, and natural stone cladding. The entrance is accented with blue window frames, and the facility is surrounded by lush green landscaping and clear blue skies.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Project Description

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is one of the oldest veterinary schools in the world, founded in 1823 by William Dick. It is the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh and part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. BDG McColl was appointed to provide the masterplanning, architectural and interior design for the new vet school.

The aim was to relocate the new vet school from the City, Summerhall to 7 miles south at Easter Bush, so all the veterinary facilities, the small animal hospital and research facilities together with The Roslin Institute were consolidated onto one campus.

Florence was involved in the masterplanning and architectural design from inception to schematic design stage.

It is a very unique and complex project where it doesn’t only serve humans but also animal welfare. A lot of thoughts have been put into the site planning as well as bringing a diverse range of accommodation under one roof. There are many interesting design aspects;

Masterplanning & Landscape

Extensive and in-depth materplanning studies and analysis were carried out to determining the juxtaposition of the new vet school, environmental impact and its connection to the rest of the site. We worked closely with the landscape consultant from conceptual stage on the external spaces and building siting through to detail design for cycling route, car parking, hard landscape, SUDS strategy, land remediation and planting.

Architecture

This new building provides a state-of-the-art facility and rich interdisciplinary research environment for 1,200 students and staff on one site. New facility including library, canteen, lecture theatres with multi-media technology, column-free seminar rooms, tutorial rooms and large teaching laboratories as well as a post-mortem and anatomy suite.

Form follows functions – the design intent was to create a bright and airy ambience whilst accommodating demanding building bespoke services and flexibility of layout. Upon entry, one will be greeted by a double height light filled atrium, acting as the thoroughfare. It wraps around the lecture theatres pods, the heart of the building, linking the mains spaces together and the flexible “study landscape” providing a focus for student and staff interaction in large groups.

Terraced green roofs were created to integrate the building into the landscape. Measures to ensure minimal environmental impact included the reuse of topsoil excavated for the building’s foundations and hard landscaping. The design has been formulated using a holistic approach including considerations of sustainability and environmental whole life costs. The new building obtained a BREEAM Very Good rating.

A pair of intricate metallic horse head sculptures in front of the new veterinary school building, with the detailed structure of the building in the background, under a partly cloudy sky
Aerial view of The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies with a white, modern building in the foreground, featuring large glass windows, a flat roof, and clear signage. The facility is surrounded by well-maintained lawns and parking areas with a few cars and a seating area. In the background, the landscape features rolling green hills under a clear blue sky with a few wispy clouds.
A modern veterinary school building, presenting a sleek combination of glass and concrete architecture. A rounded glass facade adjoins a more traditional block, reflecting a clear sky. The school's name is prominently displayed, asserting its institutional pride. Behind, lush greenery and rolling hills paint a serene backdrop, suggesting a harmonious blend of advanced education and natural beauty
Front entrance of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies showing a modern design with white and glass facades and stone cladding. Manicured lawn with young conifers in front and the school's name displayed above the entrance, with the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education mentioned. Clear sky and lush greenery in the background.
Angular view of a modern veterinary school building featuring a mix of glass, white panels, and stone cladding. A prominent glass atrium intersects the structure, and the foreground displays a paved approach leading to the main entrance, with a cloudy sky overhead.
Frontal view of a contemporary veterinary school building, featuring a contrasting blend of white and sandy-hued stone facades. The entrance is framed by a row of slender white columns and expansive glass panels, allowing a glimpse of the interior.
Modern veterinary school entrance with high ceilings, a glossy floor, wooden beams, and suspended stained-glass panels, accented by a statue for an educational feel.
Modern veterinary school atrium with a polished granite floor, minimalist seating, and stained glass panels. A statue of founder William Dick presides in the naturally-lit space, showcasing a fusion of heritage and contemporary design.
Modern veterinary school atrium with a polished granite floor, minimalist seating, and stained glass panels. A statue of founder William Dick presides in the naturally-lit space, showcasing a fusion of heritage and contemporary design.
Spacious double-height atrium inside a veterinary school, featuring a library visible through large glass windows, modern seating areas, and a central staircase connecting the floors.
Spacious double-height atrium inside a veterinary school, featuring a library visible through large glass windows, modern seating areas, and a central staircase connecting the floors.
A lecture hall filled with attentive students seated in tiered, grey upholstered chairs, engaging with a presentation in a contemporary veterinary school setting, with warm lighting and a clock on the back wall indicating the time.
Modern empty university seminar room with staggered seating, blue chairs, and wooden podium.
Study area with individual desks and yellow office chairs partitioned by transparent dividers in a brightly lit room.
Spacious conference room setup with large wooden table, cream chairs, and modern audiovisual equipment in the background.
Visitors observing a pathology demonstration through a glass-walled laboratory with monitors displaying close-up views.
Group tour of veterinary MRI suite with a technician explaining the imaging equipment to attentive visitors.
Veterinarian in scrubs holding a brown puppy at a veterinary clinic with colleagues working in the background.
Open day visitors exploring a veterinary anatomy classroom with multiple stainless steel dissection tables.
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