RMJM

The building is intended as a 'gateway' to the University's north campus and incorporates state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. It seeks to unite the university's five engineering departments; Civil, Electronic, Industrial, Engineering Hydrology and Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering.

Designed to be a 'tool for teaching', the development houses undergraduate and postgraduate facilities for nearly 1,500 students and accommodation includes engineering laboratories, research facilities, workshops, computer suites and lecture rooms. The design also incorporates a number of visible learning devices which allow students to monitor the building's performance.

The zinc-clad development respects its riverside setting and a number of measures have been taken to minimize the building's carbon footprint. These include natural ventilation to much of the accommodation, a bio-diverse green roof over the central courtyard, the harvesting of rainwater for use within the building and a biomass boiler for energy generation.