As project lead, Faithful+Gould will be appointing and leading a multi-disciplinary team providing quantity surveying and supervisory roles for the design and build of the hub.

The project will see a new state-of-the-art facility built at the Institute’s Craigiebuckler campus that’s expected to support more than 200 new jobs and bring in £1.6m annually to the regional economy.

It will act as a virtual and physical collaborative space for engagement, training and innovation around the development of nature-based, net-zero solutions for issues ranging from community renewable energy development to peatland restoration.

This will include acting as an incubator for “spin out” companies, drawing on the institute’s scientific expertise, and a public café, to encourage public engagement.

Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland, director of the International Land Use Study Centre (ILUSC) and project lead on the Just Transition Hub, said: “It‘s great to have Faithful+Gould now onboard with this project. We have an ambitious programme and timeframe, with construction targeted for 2024. Ultimately, the new development will expand our capacity – and that of the region – to progress nature-based and net-zero solutions where the community is part of the solution.”

Tara Gavan, senior project manager at Faithful+Gould, added: “This is a really significant project for Aberdeen and the focus on developing net zero solutions for challenges faced by the communities in this region is something we can strongly support, given our track record in enabling clients’ to reach their sustainability goals.

“We are delighted to be continuing to strengthen our relationship with The James Hutton Institute in driving the project forward, which will act as a catalyst for innovation in Aberdeen.”

Design and planning of the hub, which will be part of The James Hutton Institute’s ILUSC, is expected to continue through this year, with planning permission expected to then be sought in 2023, with construction targeted for 2024. The Scottish Government funding was via the Just Transition Fund, awarded late 2022.