27 September 2025 (10:00 - 16:00)
The University of Edinburgh has transformed the iconic, category-A listed Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh into Edinburgh Futures Institute; a publicly accessible space for interdisciplinary collaboration, data-led innovation, education, research and partnership with industry.
Edinburgh Futures Institute occupies the restored 20,000m2 space which includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, rooms for co-working with industry partners, incubation areas for businesses, labs for innovation and prototyping, and exhibition and performance spaces.
The revitalised building transforms the local area, creating a major public piazza, new garden spaces, and several new points of access from Lauriston Place, Middle Meadow Walk and Quartermile – opening this historic site once again to the public and welcoming Edinburgh communities, residents and visitors, as well as University of Edinburgh staff and students.

Planned Activities
Edinburgh Futures Institute is home to a vibrant community of futures-focused students, researchers, organisations and businesses working together to tackle the world's increasingly complex challenges. Visit us in our new home in Edinburgh’s former Royal Infirmary to discover how the Institute creatively brings together people, disciplines and perspectives under one roof to develop innovative and data-driven solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. Meet our staff, students and partners and discover how they are shaping better futures for all. Explore the building, delve into our history, browse displays and stalls and get hands on with drop-in activities for all ages. Check our website for the full activity programme.
A limited number of guided tours of the building will be available – places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite please See https://efi.ed.ac.uk/events/ and follow the link to Eventbrite to book.

2025 Doors Open Days Theme - Architectural Heritage: Windows to the Past, Doors to the Future
Edinburgh Futures Institute offers visitors the opportunity to reflect on the past of our historic building as a place of healing and how the principles of care and compassion carry through into our future-focused mission to find solutions to the world’s increasingly complex challenges. The project to sensitively transform the former hospital breathed new life into this historic structure, producing a unique place to dream the future rooted in the past.
Image credit: Keith Hunter Photography

Edinburgh Futures Institute features accessible entrances, accessible WCs, braille on signage, and door handles at a level accessible for wheelchair users. There are lifts on all floors. Detailed information about the accessibility of the building can be found on the AccessAble website at www.accessable.co.uk
Water refill points are available on every floor. Baby changing facilities and an infant feeding room are available.
Edinburgh Futures Institute and the central campus area is easily accessible by public transport – see https://transport.ed.ac.uk/travelling-here/central-area for more information. Please note there is no disabled parking at Edinburgh Futures Institute - the closest car park is Q-Park on Simpson Loan, Edinburgh, EH3 9AU. Bike parking is available.

Address
Edinburgh Futures Institute - The University of Edinburgh, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EF