ABSTRACT
Introduction The process of providing a new engineering teaching and research facility for De Montfort University began in 1989, shortly after the University became a freestanding corporation, formerly known as Leicester Polytechnic. The University was committed to acting as a catalyst for change in the run down inner city area in which its buildings are located. The development which was in the heart of a City Challenge area also had to fit in with Leicester’s role as an Environment City. The architects developed the concept for the new building from an earlier project for a passively cooled brewery in Malta. Planning permission was gained at the end of 1989, and construction began after a long period of funding bids and environmental studies in July 1991. Teaching began as scheduled in October 1993, and the building was officially opened by HM The Queen on 9 December 1993, and named The Queens Building.
