Napier University has appointed RMJM to design its new £55m Sighthill campus – kick-starting the regeneration of the area and creating a knowledge hub in south-west Edinburgh. The Edinburgh-based firm has a wealth of experience in the Higher Education sector and beat off stiff competition from six other firms.

The company has worked on prestigious award-winning projects for Oxford, Cambridge, Hertfordshire and Glasgow Caledonian universities, and is the architect behind Jewel & Esk Valley College's Edinburgh and Midlothian campuses. RMJM will help Napier blend visionary learning spaces with state-of-the-art technology in a campus fit for twenty-first century learning. Many of the facilities will also be available for the local community's use, including a £5m sports facility development.

Fiona Stewart, formerly of the University of Edinburgh, has been appointed as Project Director by Napier while Heery International is the appointed project manager which will oversee the design and construction of the new campus. Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Napier University said: "RMJM is a highly-respected and experienced firm which has created many of Edinburgh's iconic buildings and many modern campuses for HE institutions around the globe.

"With extensive knowledge of the local planning process, a superb record on designing highly-sustainable buildings, and an excellent relationship with Heery International, having worked closely together on a number of projects, we are confident RMJM will be instrumental in turning our vision into reality."

Gordon Hood, Director, RMJM said: "Napier's £55m investment in the regeneration of Sighthill provides a unique opportunity to create a sustainable, architectural landmark in the south-west of the city. We will use our significant experience in designing for the Higher Education sector to create a campus that will provide Napier, Sighthill and Edinburgh with an outstanding, twenty-first century learning environment."

Environmental sustainability will be at the heart of the new Sighthill campus which will bring nursing, life sciences, social sciences, and sports & exercise disciplines within the Faculty of Health, Life & Social Sciences together on one site, strengthening facilities and cross-discipline collaboration, and opening up new areas of study.

Only the central spine of the current building will be retained, with seven new storeys built around it to create a 22,000sqm campus. Demolition is expected to begin in summer 2008 with the campus scheduled to open in summer 2010.