INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
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IDENTITY DESIGN.

CHALLENGE

The University of Edinburgh engaged Significant Others to craft the building identity for the new Usher Building at the BioQuarter in Little France, Edinburgh. Our mission was to design a cohesive framework integrating wayfinding, signage, interior graphics, artwork, furniture selection, and the full interior architecture and concept design for the ground-floor café within this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility.".

The Usher Institute was envisioned as a world-leading innovation hub for the health and social care sector, bringing together 950 academics, researchers, clinicians, and health technology professionals. The building’s design centred on fostering collaboration, engagement, and wellbeing while supporting a hybrid workplace model — one of the first of its kind for the University of Edinburgh.

We were challenged to create a design that would embody these principles while complementing the architect’s vision and maintaining the university’s established design language.

APPROACH
Our concept for The Usher Building identity was rooted in three guiding principles:

1. Hybrid Workplace Policy: Reimagining academic workplaces to support flexibility, innovation, and wellbeing.

2. Wellbeing at its Heart: Prioritising mental and physical health through thoughtful design that eases stress, encourages movement, and fosters restoration.

3. Purpose and Value: Designing spaces that inspire collaboration, creativity, and productivity while giving every element of the building a clear purpose and benefit.

These principles informed a design approach inspired by biomimicry, emphasising the connection between the natural world and the building’s linear architectural aesthetic.

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Design Highlights:

• Wayfinding Strategy: A seamless, intuitive wayfinding system utilised innovative materials to enhance the connection between nature and architecture. Signage incorporated veneers made from calming botanicals like St. John’s Wort and fragrant flowers, chosen for their links to wellbeing. Transparent and light-reflecting materials allowed natural light to flow uninterrupted through the building’s expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

• Interior Graphics and Artwork: Graphics drew on layered natural forms inspired by the earth’s core, complemented by a soft, earthy colour palette that aligned with the architect’s scheme. The interplay of textures, tones, and materials reinforced the building’s connection to the natural environment while promoting mental clarity and relaxation.

• Furniture Selection and Layout: Furniture layouts in shared spaces, such as “village greens,” meeting rooms, and winter gardens, were designed to support flexibility and hybrid working. Pieces were chosen for their ergonomic quality, durability, and compatibility with the building’s linear and natural aesthetic.

• Café Concept: The café’s identity emphasised comfort and connection, with bespoke branding and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It serves as both a collaborative space and a retreat for relaxation, blending seamlessly with the overall building identity.