Lendlease has been appointed to deliver a £19.5m preservation project for the University of Leicester.

The company is to maintain the Grade II listed Stirling and Gowan Engineering Building.

Work will involve replacing each of the 2,500 glass panels on the diamond shaped roof.

A fabric envelope will be mounted around the building on a bespoke scaffold to protect against the weather and to ensure work can continue throughout the year.

In addition, tensile netting will be used under the roof line to allow the building to remain in use during construction.

-- Advertisement --

The project is part funded from a loan from the European Investment Bank and the University's own capital.

In addition, Arup are to provide professional consultancy, facade, structural, M&E and principal designer services for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Trevor Humphreys, Director of the Estates and Facilities Management, said: "The University takes very seriously its responsibility to care for this world famous building. This highly complex, sensitive and logistically challenging project has been meticulously planned over several years.  We have engaged a highly competent consulting team and our partnership with Lendlease to replace the roof will ensure this building remains available for our Engineering students to study and learn in, as well as preserving the building for future generations."

The 1960's Engineering Building was designed by architects Stirling and Gowan.

It is recognised internationally as one of the most significant buildings of the 20th century, included in the Daily Telegraphs national list of the fifty most famous structures in the UK.

(LM/CD)