The Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) at the University of Edinburgh stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, housed within the meticulously restored Old Royal Infirmary. This multi-million flagship refurbishment transformed the category-A listed building into one of Europe’s largest interdisciplinary learning, research, and innovation centres.

The Challenge

Built in 1879, the Old Royal Infirmary presented unique challenges. The design needed to honour its historic character while meeting the University of Edinburgh’s sustainability goals and creating state-of-the-art facilities. The project created over 20,000 sqm of multifunctional spaces, including lecture halls, event areas, and public outdoor spaces.

For DorSuite, this meant delivering highly complex doorsets that not only satisfied demanding acoustic and fire requirements but also met the architectural intent for heritage aesthetics. The inclusion of oversized doors, bespoke panelling, and intricate glass elements added another layer of complexity.

The DorSuite Solution

DorSuite played a pivotal role in helping bring this vision to life. Our team worked closely with the architect and contractor to deliver:

• Bespoke fire-rated door assemblies to corridor areas (some assemblies over 4m in height and width) to complement the grand proportions of the historic interiors.

• Internal and external heritage panelled doors, crafted to align with the building’s original aesthetic.

• Primed and ash-veneered doors with bespoke tinted lacquer for a refined finish.

• DesignSuite and AudioSuite doors to meet high acoustic and aesthetic standards.

In addition, DorSuite provided bespoke fire testing to enable some of the unique designs to come to life and retain all-important fire compliance at the same time, offering peace of mind to all stakeholders.

Our Expertise in Action

This project required more than manufacturing excellence. Our team heavily participated in developing the design to translate the architectural vision into technical realities. Balancing heritage detailing and large doorset size requirements with modern performance needs, we delivered doors that met acoustic, fire, and aesthetic requirements—no small feat for a project of this scale.

The Outcome

The restored Edinburgh Futures Institute is a triumph of historic preservation and modern functionality. Visitors and students alike now experience a space that blends the charm of 19th-century architecture with 21st-century innovation. The building’s new multi-functional spaces and sustainability-focused design set a benchmark for future projects.

DorSuite is proud to have contributed to this transformation, providing bespoke solutions that supported the ambitious goals of Bennetts Associates and Balfour Beatty.

Looking Forward

As sustainability and heritage restoration continue to drive construction trends, DorSuite remains committed to delivering tailored solutions for even the most complex projects.

The DorSuite Team

Iain McNeil

Project Manager

Joseph Lander

Sales Specification

Paul Zanre

Photography