Engineering Building listed as one of the worlds best unsung buildings

Our University's internationally famous Grade II* listed Engineering Building has been included in The Guardian's 'Castles in the sky' list, highlighting some of the world's best unsung buildings.

The Engineering Building was designed by Sir James Stirling and James Gowan and completed in 1963.

The building, part of a generational shift in Britain - sometimes called 'Postmodernism' - received Grade II* listing in 1993.

The article outlines how its tower of offices with lecture rooms is linked to a lower workshop block and goes against the grain of most concrete 1960s towers.

Pete Bale from the University’s Division of Estates and Facilities Management said: “Stirling and Gowan designed the building around the fact that it was for an Engineering Department. For example, the height of the tower was determined by the head of water required for thermofluids and hydraulics experiments and the interior of the building very much reflects the industrial aesthetic. The design has generated much debate and architects come from all over the world to see it. It has even featured on a postage stamp.

“The vision for the design of this building resulted in a truly inspirational postmodernist building for which the University is suitably proud.”

The Engineering Building, which is the only university building on the list and only location in the UK, is included alongside other famous works of architecture including the Berlin Philharmonie and the Torre Velasca in Milan.

Our University is currently undertaking works to replace the roof and glazed facades of the Engineering Building.

• Further information about the Engineering Building and Roof project is available here
• A timeline of the Engineering Building is available here

A video about the Engineering Building is available below: