Clearview National November 2016 - Issue 180 | Page 60

GLASS&SEALEDUNITS

Preserving university of Leicester’s
iconic engineering building
»»PAINSTAKING WORK TO
replace the iconic roof of the
University of Leicester’s historic
Engineering Building was
examined by heritage experts last
month. Key regeneration sites
within Leicester City Centre
were visited on Tuesday 4th
October by Historic England, the
Government’s principal adviser on
the historic environment.
Historic England’s
Commissioners, their Chairman
Sir Laurie Magnus and Chief
Executive Duncan Wilson were
welcomed by Sir Peter Soulsby, the
City’s elected Mayor, and Leicester
City Council to celebrate and see
specific heritage led regeneration
projects including the Cathedral,
Richard III Visitor Centre, Friars
Mill, Leicester Castle and the
University of Leicester Engineering
Building.
The Grade II* listed
Engineering building, designed by
James Stirling and James Gowan
is regarded internationally as
one of our iconic 20th century
post-modernist structures. It is
well known for its impressive
3-dimensional saw-tooth roof,
which terminates in a series of
points and diamonds. When

it was built in the 1960s, this
complex and ambitious roof was
largely untested.
The building is still used for
teaching and the University
is investing substantially in
repairing the building to improve
its technical performance and
comfort for users. It has embraced
the challenge to replace the roof
whilst preserving its original design
form.
Following detailed negotiations
with the University, Leicester City
Council, Historic England and the
20th Century Society, work began
on site last year. The aim is that
the new roof and other works will
provide a faithful recreation of the
different geometric profiles and
forms and extend the functionality
of the building for another fifty
years.
Historic England Chairman
Sir Laurie Magnus said: “We are
thrilled to see the new roof under
construction. This has been a
collaborative and positive approach
to conserving one of our most
iconic post-war historic buildings.
We have been delighted to work
with the University all the way
through this challenging project
and recognise their continued

60 » N OV 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

commitment to the engineering
building.”
The work involves replacing
each of the 2,500 glass panels
of the innovative 45-degree,
patent-glazed, diamond-shaped
roof, designed to provide north
light to the Engineering research
laboratories and workshops.
This complex project requires
demanding engineering solutions
to overcome the challenges of
enhancing an historic building,
and contemporary technical
requirements. The glazing system
for the roof is a bespoke installation
where no empirical industry
standards can be applied.
Pete Bale, Project Manager
from the University of Leicester,
said: “Without the collaborative
resolve and partnership between
the University, the heritage
stakeholders, designers and
contractors this complex project
would not have come to fruition
and this significant piece of
post-war heritage would not
have received the attention that
it deserves. It has been a privilege
to work with all concerned and
I am delighted the University is
safeguarding for this structure for
future generations.”

Chris Shaw, Assistant Director
in the University of Leicester’s
Development and Alumni
Relations Office, said: “There
is worldwide interest in the
Engineering Building, especially
amongst Engineering Alumni,
many of whom return periodically
to renew their acquaintance with
it. They will be thrilled to see work
in progress on the roof and the
ongoing upkeep of this architectural
masterpiece.”
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:
“I am proud that, alongside the
council-led regeneration of key
buildings and historic areas in
the city, Leicester can showcase
some fine examples of important
restoration projects being carried
out in partnership with other key
stakeholders in the city.”
The Daily Telegraph included
the Engineering Building in a
national list of the fifty most
famous structures in the UK,
including Hadrian’s Wall and
Stonehenge, in 2008. Among its
many other plaudits, it has been
hailed as one of the top 10 most
inspiring buildings in the UK and
most recently, was listed as one of
the ‘world’s best unsung buildings’
by The Guardian.