The James Went Building in the foreground, with Fletcher to the left and Hawthorn to the right, c.1975
These papers refer to general estates management and the construction and administration of specific buildings both at De Montfort University's main campus in central Leicester and at other campus sites it has occupied over the years. More detailed information about each campus or building can be found in the administrative history for that section.
Summary of significant events relating to DMU's campuses:
Papers relating to the management of estates and buildings at De Montfort University and its predecessors. Including administrative papers, correspondence, reports, building plans, photographs and newspaper articles.
The collection has been arranged into sub-fonds as follows:
Duplicate material has been removed.
Additions to this collection are expected.
Catalogued by Katharine Short, Archivist, and Natalie Hayton, Archives Assistant, June 2017.
Open and available for general access.
Copies can be taken for private research purposes only, and subject to the condition of the document.
Administration relating to capital works programmes, general campus management, and photographs of the campus.
The majority of the Capital Works documents focus on the period, 1979-1981, providing significant insight into this period of growth and development for the Polytechnic as it acquires new land and makes provisions for new courses, primarily by erecting new student accommodation, building a central library, putting forward proposals for future builds, and purchasing new equipment.
The Capital Works Programmes were originally organised by three yearly cycles with each containing major and minor works for each year within the three year period (some are missing). While there are several folders covering overlapping years, with some folders including forecasts for future works, the original system has been retained.
Administration regarding capital works for the period, including details of revisions, recommendations and budgets. The papers also include a letter from the Leicestershire County Council requesting Capital Programmes for the current year as well as projections up until 1979. Works mentioned include student accommodation and the proposal for a new central library, which would lead to the erection of the Kimberlin Library in 1977. There are also copies of Leicester City Council documents detailing the works which refer to the building of teaching blocks, student accommodation, and adaptations to existing buildings.
Letters, reports, and lists detailing minor capital works for the period, including alterations to classrooms and building maintenance/improvements.
Letters, reports, lists and memos regarding minor capital works for the period, covering building maintenance and improvements as well as minor adaptation projects such as the installation of the mezzanine floor in the Fletcher building, which includes the architect's plans.
Documents referring to the major building works scheduled to begin in 1975/76, including justification for a student services building, student accommodation, and extensions to the Clephan building. The papers also include details of how many courses and students the existing locations were required to cater for, as well as projected costs for new site clearance.
Correspondence, minutes, reports, and lists regarding capital works for the period, including details of revisions, recommendations, budgets, and revenue estimates. The works include details of land acquisition and the creation of more student accommodation at new and existing sites, such as Princess Road, modernising improvements to the Fletcher and Hawthorn Buildings, and the purchase of special apparatus and equipment, such as a mass spectrometer.
Documents referring to the major building works scheduled for the period, which largely consist of fire safety and precaution improvements to many of the Polytechnic’s buildings, as well as adaptations to science laboratories and the relocation of the thermodynamics lab due to noise. There are also two documents that, while covering the stated period, also forecast major building works into the early 80s.
Letters, reports and memos regarding minor buildings works and improvements for the period, including an extension to the Ceramics Block in the Fletcher Building, and approval for the building of a plant pathology house.
Correspondence, minutes, and reports regarding major and minor building works for the period, with reference to revisions, recommendations, and budgets, with some documents referring to the rising inflation that was experienced during the late 1970s in the UK. The majority of projects listed at this time appear to be focused on student housing, relocation, and modernising and adapting existing buildings with new furnishings and equipment.
Correspondence and reports regarding major building works for the period, which compared with previous and following years is relatively low key, focusing primarily on adaptations to existing buildings. Works include improvements to various buildings such as the lighting in the Elfed Thomas Building, the installation of furniture and equipment, and improvements to the Scraptoft campus to cater for the new degree course in Performing Arts.
Administration regarding major building works for the period, including upgrades to many of the W.C. facilities across the majority of the buildings on Campus, improvements to the John Sandford Sports Centre, proposals for a new site to house the School of Mechanical and Production Engineering with a new Thermodynamics Laboratory (which would eventually lead to the erection of the Queens Building built in 1992, where the school is now situated), and extensions to the kiln room in the Fletcher Building.
The brochure contains a campus plan highlighting major new build schemes, including developments on or around the James Went building (demolished in 2004), the John Sandford Sports Centre (now The Venue, converted 2015), and the erection of a new social hub, the Campus Centre (built 2003). The document also marks the landscaping scheme for the area around the Magazine, as well as listing buildings for major academic refurbishment, such as Portland and Queens. Site plans and computer imaging of the proposed new builds and landscaping are included.
Including the development of proposals for the Fletcher Building.
Including memos, correspondence, plans and reports relating to the difficulties of providing adequate parking spaces for staff and students.
The survey was carried out by the Unit for Architectural Studies at University College London to analyse patterns of space usage at Leicester Polytechnic.
Accommodation and room usage survey for the Boulevard Building, James Went, Clephan and Fletcher.
Including correspondence relating to room usage across all buildings.
Papers relating to a Department of Education and Science seminar on Communal Accommodation in Polytechnics held at Leicester Polytechnic to showcase the new communal building (the Union building, see also D/037/02/04/004-005) which was developed in consultation with the DES Polytechnic Study Group. Includes an offprint from The Architect's Journal, Feb 1973, entitled 'Poly Experiment', outlining the project and providing plans and drawings.
Report of a survey of room usage in James Went, Clephan and Hawthorn, to test timetabling efficiency.
Prepared by Samantha Woods, Environmental Audit Officer.
Prepared by Property Services. Includes statement of accommodation needs, evaluation of existing estate, problems identified and opportunities for development with proposals.
Proposals for the coherent development of the campus, prepared by Livingston Eyre Associates.
Summary of planning application put forward by DMU for the development of the city campus site.
Photocopy of a report prepared by Metcalf and Eddy assessing environmental issues that might impact the campus redevelopment. Includes useful summary of the history of the area and historical maps.
Correspondence and receipts regarding land rented by the university across Leicester, including City Campus, Scraptoft, and the Lero building.
Colour photograph showing the campus looking south-west, with Oxford Street, Clephan and James Went in the foreground, and Hawthorn, Fletcher, Gateway, Stibbe, Portland, John Whitehead, Trinity, Queens and Kimberlin to the rear.
Set of aerial photographs, including D/037/01/03/001 but also other images taken from different angles and focussing on specific buildings, particularly Hawthorn. The images were supplied digitally but have been printed for ease of access.
View of the campus and view of Queens. Hoar was a Fine Art lecturer at DMU until 2003.
The first premises of the Leicester School of Art were in a disused warehouse on Pocklington's Walk, while the Leicester Technical School was based in the Wyggeston Hospital School. When the two institutions were merged in 1897 and brought under control of Leicester City Council, a new site was found where they could operate together. Now the Hawthorn Building, this was for several years the only building used by the institution.
After the Second World War the Hawthorn Building became too small and additional buildings were sought including the Lero Buildings at Painter Street from 1946, the Downings Buildings in Newarke Street in 1947 and the Boulevard Buildings on Western Boulevard in 1953. It was always considered preferable to expand locally, and when housing in the streets around the Hawthorn Building was earmarked for slum clearance the Colleges negotiated to use the land. This led to the construction of the Fletcher and James Went buildings in the 1960s and early 1970s. As well as creating new buildings in the area, the Polytechnic took over existing industrial or office sites and converted them to educational use, including the Clephan, Stibbe, Gateway, John Whitehead, Trinity, Bosworth House and Portland Buildings.
Following expansion into and then sale of other campus sites in the 1990s DMU brought its focus back to the central Leicester campus in the 2000s, beginning a process of regeneration. This work included the demolition of James Went and construction of Hugh Aston and the Magazine Square, the expansion and refurbishment of Bosworth House (now Edith Murphy), and the rebuilding of the Stibbe Building (now the Campus Centre). In 2014-2017 the Campus Transformation project saw the construction of a new leisure centre and an events venue on Western Boulevard, the total renovation of the Fletcher Building, now called the Vijay Patel Building, and the renovation of Leicester Castle as part of the Business School.
In 1897 the Leicester School of Art (founded 1870) and the Leicester Technical School (founded 1882) were merged and brought under the control of the Town Council. The new institution was renamed the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School.
In order to accommodate this new institution a new building was begun in a part of Leicester known as ‘the Newarke’. The School building was constructed as one long wing with a grand central entrance. Today this is the part of the building which faces the Hugh Aston building. The materials used were orange Leicester brick with Portland stone window surrounds. The architects were a local firm, Everard and Pick. Samuel Perkins Pick had learned architecture at the School of Art in 1875, achieving national awards for his building designs. He went on to teach building construction at the School of Art while also working as architectural assistant to John Everard. William Keay, another graduate of the School of Art, later joined the architects and the company became known as Pick, Everard and Keay.
The foundation stone was laid on 30 March 1896 and the building was opened on 5 October 1897. It soon proved too small and extensions were planned. The first extension was the south wing, now the side of the building which faces along Richmond Street, which was opened in 1909. The west wing opposite the Portland building was built between 1927 and 1928. In order to construct this wing an asylum for orphan girls, which had been founded by the vicar of St Mary de Castro in 1800, was demolished.
The final wing was the north wing, facing Trinity House (at this date still a hospital for the poor). In order to construct this wing, a grand old house, known as Shipley Ellis House after the owner, a prominent industrialist, had to be destroyed. The remains of the Collegiate Church of the Annunciation were found in the ruins of the house, along with some skeletons, coffins, and the remains of a Roman floor. After some debate in the local press it was decided to incorporate the arches into the new building. Construction took place between 1935 and 1939. The same architects and builders were used throughout these different phases of construction, which accounts for the similarity of style throughout. However, there are nods to the different tastes which had developed some 38 years after the construction of the first wing. The final wing is more ‘art deco’ in style. The doors of the north wing are decorated with copper panels designed by Percy Brown, Lecturer in Sculpture, and showing the tools of art, crafts, science and technology.
In the 1939 prospectus much is made of the new building, but already by 1947 it was too small to hold all the classes. At this point new buildings were sought and the building became known as the Central Block. In 1959 this was changed to Main Building.
The expansion of the campus in the 1960s led to the renaming of the Main Building and from 1969 it was called the Hawthorn Building after the first headmaster of the Technical School, John H Hawthorn, who taught at the School from 1897 to 1923. Arts and Design classes moved out of Hawthorn and into Fletcher, leaving Hawthorn for Sciences.
Administrative papers including allocation of rooms and apparatus, plans, reports, correspondence and finances.
Invitation to laying of foundation stone by Katharine Stewart-Murray MP, Duchess of Atholl, then Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education. With order of proceedings.
For the proposed extension of the Colleges of Art and Technology, Leicester. Prepared by Pick, Everard, Keay and Gimson, architects, for the City of Leicester Education Committee.
Specification for work required to be done in the furnishing of the new wing (3rd wing) of the College and certain rooms in the old building. Tender completed by J Chapman and Sons of Welford Road.
By Pick, Everard, Keay and Gimson, architects.
By Pick, Everard, Keay and Gimson, architects. For the 4th Wing.
Administrative papers on expenditure and furnishings. Includes some plans and drawings, reports and correspondence.
Administrative papers relating to the purchase of equipment including for biology and physics labs.
Administrative papers for the purchase of equipment and furniture, as well as some general papers including prize-givings.
Administrative papers regarding supply of equipment and fittings, especially for the printing department.
Administrative papers especially regarding finance and expenditure.
Administrative papers especially regarding finance and expenditure.
Invitations, ticket of admission, programme and text of address by Charles Keene. The Wing was opened by James, Earl Stanhope, President of the Board of Education.
Correspondence regarding the Hawthorn Building for the Leicestershire volume of
General administrative papers.
Administrative papers. A 'local base' was a communal area for students.
Copy photographs, mainly taken from contemporary prospectuses and brochures. Includes drawings and photographs of Shipley Ellis House, destroyed to make way for the 4th Wing, and the discovery of the ruins of the Church of the Annunciation on the site.
The photographs were taken by the Headmaster of the Technical School. They include the discovery of the ruins of the Church of the Annunciation and views across Leicester from the roof of the building.
Black and white photograph by CH Bulman, stamped on the rear '8 Sep 1950'. Shows the bronze doors and steps of the 4th Wing with people approaching the building, cars on the street, and bicycles stacked against the wall. An attached note explains that Bulman was a physics teacher at the College.
Photographs showing the delivery of textiles machinery to the 2nd Wing (Richmond Street side) via crane through a window.
Colour photographs of the frontage of the Hawthorn Building 1st Wing, taken from the site of the James Went Building after demolition but before construction of Hugh Aston. Photographs by staff member Dave Reeder.
Plans showing each floor of the existing building with the proposed 4th Wing extensions added in a different colour. The function/purpose of each room is labelled. Two copies. Plus two undated fold-out plans. These plans include labelled classrooms indicating they can be dated pre-1969 (before the Art classes were moved to the Fletcher Building) as they show allocated space for Arts classes as well as Technical classes.
Photocopy of plans showing different stages in construction of the Hawthorn Building. The provenance of the plans is unclear.
Three plans of the lower ground floor of the Hawthorn Building, highlighting in particular the position of the ruins of the Church of the Annunciation. The ruins were incorporated into the DMU Heritage Centre in 2015.
The Hawthorn Building was constructed on the site of a medieval church. During construction some ruins from the church were discovered and incorporated into the building. These photographs show the ruins as part of the lower ground floor hall. The ruins now form part of the DMU Heritage Centre.
The press cuttings album for 1935 includes press coverage of the discovery of the ruins during construction.
The photographs are labelled "Lens-based Media" and reproduction copyright is held by them.
The Fletcher Building was constructed as an extension to the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology, then based almost entirely in the Hawthorn Building. In preparation for the anticipated change to polytechnic status it was recognised that more teaching space was urgently needed. The building was designed by the Leicester City Architects' Department. The ten storey high rise tower surrounded by low one or two storey buildings was intended to provide a dynamic contrast. An inner courtyard evoked a collegiate feel and initially held a water feature, although this was later drained. The tower held studio teaching spaces while workshops, canteen, offices and lecture theatre were based in the low rise.
Fletcher was noted for its paternoster lift, a type which moves continuously between floors while users jump on and off. This was replaced during refurbishment work in 2006.
Fletcher was opened in November 1966 by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The building was intended to house art and design subjects and the name Fletcher was chosen to reflect this. Benjamin Fletcher was Headmaster of the Leicester School of Art from 1900 to 1920. His headmastership transformed arts and crafts teaching at the school while he was a nationally respected artist in his own right.
The Fletcher complex was extended towards the canal with the construction of facilities for catering and the Student Union in 1975. The extension was designed by a team from the Polytechnic Study Group in the Architects and Building branch of the Department of Education and Science. It was part of a national study into the way the new polytechnics could provide communal facilities for students and staff. Known as the Union Building, it included a concourse housing a bank, shop and NUS services, an arena for music and drama, a coffee bar and games area, and offices for the careers service.
In 1993 a Student Health Centre was constructed in the central courtyard. The Centre was designed by Bundey & Rodgers of Market Harborough in a consciously ornamented style meant to give the building a distinct identity by contrast to the stern style of the tower. The Centre moved to a different location in 2010 and the building was used for offices.
In 2014 the University embarked on a major renovation of the Fletcher Building. It was extended towards the canal and state-of-the-art studio and workshop spaces have been included. Now called the Vijay Patel Building after Dr Vijay Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Waymade Healthcare and a graduate of DMU's Leicester School of Pharmacy, the building won the 2016 award for "New Build complementing the Historic Built Environment of the City" from the Leicester Civic Society.
The Union Building extension was opened at the same time as Eric Wood and information about the building features in the opening ceremony brochure (reference D/037/02/04/005). A conference was held about 'communal accommodation' in Polytechnics that used the Union Building as an example, see D/037/01/02/007.
Including arrangements for the opening ceremony, historical notes for the speeches and the creation of a silver presentation casket.
The Queen Mother opened the Fletcher Building. The programme details arrangements for the day including timings, travel and seating plans.
Invitation and tickets for the opening of the Fletcher Building. "Order of Proceedings of the Official Opening of the Extensions to the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology on Wednesday 2nd November 1966 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother" and commemorative brochure "Official Opening of the Extensions to the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother". The brochure features a summary of the architectural brief, an overview of the Colleges at this date, and a plan of the new building with future developments in the Newarke area indicated.
Photographs, negatives and transparencies of the opening of the Fletcher building, including the arrival of the Queen Mother, her meeting guests and students, and giving a speech. Also photographs of the fashion and textiles displays that were created for the visit.
The Fletcher adaptation project, also known as the Communal Building project, provided offices for the Students Union in Fletcher.
Papers include correspondence, reports, building plans, estimates, schedules and space allocations.
The Student Health Centre was constructed in the Fletcher courtyard in 1993.
Offprint of article "All-embracing health centres where patients come first" from
Photographs taken from the Hawthorn Building of the demolition of property on Asylum Street and Goswell Street prior to the beginning of construction, 1958, and the first buildings underway, 1960.
Photographs of the final construction phase of Fletcher, including the central tower under scaffolding, and photographs of the completed building from various angles. Also a photograph of a model of the building.
The first phase of the James Went building was completed in July 1969, comprising an 11 storey structure made from steel frames and precast concrete. The building was designed by the City Architect specifically to house the School of Business and Management and the School of Mathematics, Computing and Statistics. It therefore included laboratories and special air-conditioned rooms for computing equipment, as well as classrooms, tutorial rooms and offices. The second phase of construction was on a lower level, linked to the main tower by a glazed central vertical circulation shaft.
James Went was sited next to the Newarke Gateway and Oxford Street, which at this date included a pedestrian underpass. It was possible to walk beneath James Went via the underpass to reach the Hawthorn Building. In 2004 James Went was demolished as it had become expensive to maintain and could not easily be converted to meet modern disability access standards. It was replaced by the Hugh Aston Building and the area surrounding the Magazine was landscaped.
The building was named after Canon James Went, Headmaster of the Wyggeston Boys School who founded technical and science classes at the School in 1888. These classes proved popular enough to grow into a separate section of the School and in 1897 were merged with the School of Art classes to make the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School.
Four plans showing layouts of parts of the first floor, second floor and third floor. Includes a whole room for the B6700 computer.
The file includes invitation and admission ticket, commemorative brochure, text of speeches by Chairman Sir Charles Keene, Leicester Polytechnic Director RE Wood and Gerald Fowler MP, Joint Minister of State for Education and Science. The opening ceremony also marked the designation of the Polytechnic.
Schedule of accommodation, allocating spaces to the School of Business and Management and the School of Maths, Computing and Statistics.
Administrative file relating to the removal of asbestos from James Went.
Administrative papers relating to the removal of asbestos from James Went.
Black and white photograph taken from the direction of Oxford Street showing the James Went Building in the foreground with Hawthorn Building on the right and Fletcher on the left.
Black and white photograph taken from the Fletcher Building showing the Hawthorn Building and Gateway School (now the Philip Tasker Building) in the foreground and James Went and Clephan in the background.
Colour photographs of the demolition of the James Went Building, taken by DMU staff member Dave Reeder.
Including notes on the design and installation of a radio frequency anechoic chamber.
The Eric Wood building was constructed in 1975, designed jointly by the Leicester City Architects team and the Leicestershire County Architects team. The three-floor concrete frame building is faced with red semi-engineering brick and provides 2,300 square metres of floor space. The building originally housed senior management and administrative offices, improving efficiency by uniting administrative functions in one place. On the move of senior management to Trinity House and financial administration to the John Whitehead Building space became available to create the Eric Wood Learning Zone. This is an extension of the Library providing additional study space for students. People and Organisational Services occupy the remainder of the building.
Eric Wood was Principal of the Leicester College of Technology from 1953 to 1969, and the first Director of Leicester Polytechnic until 1973.
Papers relating to a schedule of accommodation for the central administration block and central services unit, including room requirements questionnaire and checklist.
Correspondence and memoranda relating to the construction of the central administration block and central services unit.
City Architect's drawing showing finishes and colour schedule for central administration block.
Correspondence and administration relating to the opening of the Union Buildings (part of the Fletcher Building) and the Eric Wood Building. Includes a copy of the address by Sir Charles Keene on the opening of the Union Buildings which reflects on attempts to provide student amenities.
For the Fletcher Building see D/037/02/02.
Describes both buildings and the facilities they include. Also several maps of the Polytechnic campus at this date.
Also showing the opening of the Union Building.
The Kimberlin Library brought together three smaller subject libraries which were situated in different buildings across campus. Improved library services were considered essential to meet the academic objectives of the new Leicester Polytechnic. The building was constructed over four floors, connected to a single storey Exhibition Hall. The concept was to create an open plan and flexible building. Ground conditions dictated use of piled foundations, on which the concrete frame of the building sits. The floors and roof use a ‘M’ mould waffle floor system. The exterior and parts of the interior are faced in red engineering brick, while the internal timber is Colombian Pine. The main entrance was on the first floor, which also included the counter and enquiry desks, periodicals and a lecture room. The ground floor held audio visual and stack material as well as offices, while books and study spaces occupied the 2nd and 3rd floors. The Library was opened in November 1977.
The Library was named for Archibald Kimberlin, OBE, who was a member of the Governing Body of Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology since 1947. Kimberlin Chaired the Governors from 1971 until his death in March 1976. As well as his business interests in the clothing industry, Kimberlin initiated some of the first management education schemes in the UK which led to the formation of the School of Management at Leicester Polytechnic. He also served as an Alderman and in 1964-65 became the first Catholic Lord Mayor of Leicester since the Reformation.
In 1997 the Library was extended with a new wing added over the site of the Kimberlin Exhibition Hall. The extension has a lighter weight construction as it was intended to house computer facilities rather than large numbers of books. A new entrance was added with disabled access and a fabric canopy. The building is steel frame clad in grey ceramic panels. It was designed by Eva Jiricna Architects. In 2007 the older portion of the Library was refurbished and modified, while a new entrance area was completed in 2015.
Administrative file relating to the opening ceremony for Kimberlin Library. Includes guest list and lunch arrangements.
Administration relating to the opening of Kimberlin Library, especially production of a commemorative brochure
Transcript of a BBC Radio Leicester interview with Chief Librarian Sidney Gadsen speaking about the new Library .
Offprint of Library Journal Special Report #16, about Kimberlin Library, including contributions from Chief Librarian Sidney Gadsen and architect A.C. Kirkland, and floor plans.
Brochure giving information about the Library including a biography of Archibald Kimberlin, and a summary of the Library accommodation with floor plans.
1:200 scale model of the Kimberlin Library extension by Gil Lewis of the DMU Department of Architecture and architect Eva Jiricna.
Plans for developments and refurbishments within the Library, 1994-2006. Also plans of the Library Store at 53 Oxford Street, 1986, plans of the Learning Zone in Eric Wood, 2007, and plans of the Elfed Thomas Law Library, 2003.
Most of the sample boards were made by Hailey Sharpe Design who retain copyright.
Trinity Hospital was founded in 1330 by Henry, the 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, who was a grandson of King Henry III and the chief advisor to his cousin King Edward III until he retired from that role to come and live in Leicester castle. Henry purchased 4 acres to endow the Hospital of the Honour of God and the Glorious Virgin and All Saints. The hospital could house 50 inhabitants as well as staff including a warden, chaplains to work in the Chapel here and women of good character to act as nurses. The building took the form of a long hall.
When the Duchy of Lancaster passed into Royal hands they continued to manage the Hospital. It was not until 1614 that new letters patent, issued by King James I, changed the name of the institution to the Hospital of the Holy Trinity and established the involvement of the mayor and aldermen of Leicester in the daily management.
In 1776 the medieval construction was rebuilt at the expense of King George III, creating a long, 2 storey building with 23 apartments on each floor, rooms for staff, kitchens, wash rooms and sitting rooms. In 1901-02 the structure was further altered when a new road was put in leading down to the river. Rather than accommodate the road to the existing structure, part of the building was knocked down and rebuilt at an angle.
Today the three key phases of construction are visible on the exterior of Trinity House: the medieval chapel, a portion of the 1776 structure, and the 1901 building. In 1994 Trinity Hospital moved to new, more modern accommodation on Western Boulevard. DMU purchased the old Hospital and converted it for use as offices and conference rooms. The Chapel remains untouched and is used for events.
Photograph showing the exterior of Trinity Hospital prior to the 1901 reconstruction.
The porridge pot was said to be a relic of the medieval hospital. It is still on display in the modern Trinity Hospital on Western Boulevard.
The Queens Building was opened in December 1993 by Her Majesty the Queen, in whose honour it is named. In 1989 the university had made a commitment to urban regeneration and economic stimulation, working in partnership with Leicester City Council. In addition, at this date several university buildings were considered unfit for purpose. In particular the Engineering and Manufacture buildings were deficient in mechanical and electrical services.
The question was asked - could a new Engineering and Manufacture building, which would generate enormous quantities of heat, be a 'green', environmentally friendly construction? The design brief asked for traditional, labour intensive construction to help combat local unemployment, as well as an environmentally sensitive and innovative building. Architects Peake Short (later Short Ford) were hired.
From the outset the architects aimed to create a building that reduced energy consumption to the minimum possible. Ventilation is achieved by a natural stack effect unaided by fans or air conditioning, lighting is mostly natural and sound is baffled by the brickwork. Staff of the School of Engineering and Manufacture were closely involved in the design process. Initial focus was entirely on functional and technological considerations, and the unusual external appearance of the building is a product of this functionality.
The building won several awards including RIBA Education Building of the Year 1995; Quality in Brickwork Award 1994; Civic Trust Commendation 1995 and the Independent newspaper 'Green Building of the Year' 1995.
Brochure about the "new School of Engineering and Manufacture" including an introduction to Leicester Polytechnic, international links, the School of Engineering and Manufacture, and the architect's account of the development of the final design. Illustrated with drawings and plans from the design stage.
Album of colour photographs of building plans and elevations, and a scale model of the building.
Opening ceremony order of proceedings booklet, booklet describing the new building with images of the design and construction phases, and commemorative brochure featuring images of the opening.
Including DMU internal magazine "This Week"; "Network", the magazine of DMU Alumni Association; Leicester Royal Infirmary newsletter, the "Leicester Mercury" for 10 December 1993 and "Leicester Link" February 2002.
Photographs include the arrival of the Queen and her activities within the building including opening of the curtains on the naming plaque, signing the visitors' book, meeting staff and students, viewing displays. Also images of the crowd waiting outside and some snapshots of preparation for the event and the building construction. Most of the photographs are copyright of Lionel Gretch of Milton Keynes Photo Services.
Including 'The battle of the buildings',
The Hugh Aston Building was completed in 2009 to replace the James Went Building. It was designed by Jack Gant of CPMG Architects, Nottingham. The building has a reinforced concrete frame with a patinised copper cladding and areas of glazing. It was designed to fit the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method criteria including use of natural daylight and ventilation, reduced thermal mass, and rainwater harvesting. The building houses the Faculty of Business and Law, and includes lecture theatres, a mock law court, the Law Library, a café and the University Bookshop.
As part of the construction the ring road was redirected and a new square was created around the Magazine Gateway. This freed the Gateway from being situated in the middle of the ring-road and restored it to prominence. Hugh Aston was opened on 17 March 2010 by Patrick McKenna, founder of Ingenious Media, a media investment company.
Hugh Aston (c.1485-1558) was the organist and choirmaster of the Church of the Annunciation, which was situated where the Hawthorn Building is today. As well as a composer and musician, he also held several civic roles in Leicester including Coroner, Mayor and Auditor of Accounts.
Booklet commemorating the turf cutting ceremony for the Hugh Aston Building.
Booklet commemorating the opening of the Hugh Aston Building.
Ideas for wall colour, carpets and furniture for use in the Law Library, by CPMG Architects.
The PACE (Performance Arts Centre for Excellence) Building opened in October 2007. It was designed specifically for Dance, Drama and Music Technology teaching by Ellis Williams Architects. The building includes four large studios, rehearsal rooms, music recording studios, a performance space with flexible seating, offices, changing rooms and social areas. It is constructed on a steel frame finished externally with a white ‘Sto’ render system. PACE was opened on 25 October 2007 by Alan Yentob, Creative Director of the BBC.
Administrative papers relating to the virtual launch of CEPA, the Centre for Excellence in Performance Arts. The launch was held at the Campus Centre, to celebrate the securing of funds for construction of the PACE building.
Guest pack for the official opening of the PACE (Performing Arts Centre for Excellence) Building. Includes ticket, programme of performances and brochures relating to the work of CEPA, the Centre for Excellence in Performance Arts.
The earliest segment of the Philip Tasker Building was constructed in the eighteenth century, possibly for a doctor. The house was built on the corner of Richmond Street and Fairfax Street. Fairfax Street led down to Bonner's Lane. The building is Grade II listed. In 1950 the listing document described it as red brick with ashlar (stone) dressings and a rainwater head dating to 1772. The interior is described as retaining some original details including the entrance hall with 2 segmental arches with fluted pilasters, the former dining room on the left has an original fireplace and an early 19th century triple arched buffet, while the room on the right has a grey marble fireplace, dentilated coving, moulded skirting and a dado rail. These rooms were carefully renovated by DMU in 2013 for use as function and reception rooms.
From October 1885 the building was used as the St Mary Magdalene Refuge for Fallen Women, sheltering and rehabilitating prostitutes drawn from any part of the Archdeaconry of Leicester. A separate wing of the building housed St Anne's Preventative Home meant to help vulnerable women before they fell into prostitution. A map of 1912, however, labels the building as an 'orphan asylum'. Some additions and extensions were made to the building in the 19th century to support these charitable functions.
The Refuge for Fallen Women was converted and extended into a school in 1931 by architect George Nott FRIBA, and was occupied by the Newarke Girls' School between 1932 and 1939. As well as a practicing architect, George Nott was also the Head of the Department of Architecture, Building and the Building Trades at the Leicester College of Art. The Gateway School for Boys moved into the Fairfax Street buildings in 1939 until 2009 when DMU took occupancy of the building.
Previously known as '1, Mill Lane', in March 2015 the building was named after Philip Tasker, scientist and Vice Chancellor of DMU from 1999 till 2010. The building is home to Leicester International Pathway College, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, the Centre for English Language Learning and the Sir Thomas White Charity.
The painting shows the façade of Gateway School for Boys, which was renovated by George Nott in the 1930s.
The Clephan Building was first constructed as a hosiery factory and warehouse for I&R Morley Ltd, a leading Leicester manufacturer. The first section was built in 1885 along Oxford Street. This was soon extended to the rear in 1888 – this is the part which stretches back to the Philip Tasker Building. The Oxford Street section was expanded in 1901, including decorations of terracotta sunflowers. The final extension in 1914 was on the corner of Oxford Street and along Bonners Lane. Inside the building thick cast iron columns and large timber beams created large open spaces for machinery.
The factory closed in 1967 and the building was sold to the local education authority. Initially intended to house the South Fields College, in 1968 it was instead transferred to the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology in anticipation of their need for more space when they became a Polytechnic. It was decided to use the building to provide accommodation for the Schools of Architecture and Building. Refurbishment was completed by summer 1970.
The studio in the courtyard was originally constructed in 1987 as the Design Technology Unit of the School of Architecture, known as the Atelier. Before that the space was used as a workshop for students to practice practical building skills.
Further refurbishment of Clephan took place in 1993, when the entrance canopy was added, and in 2000 with new lifts and windows.
It was Alderman Charles Keene who suggested that the building be named after the Clephan family. Edwin Clephan (1817-1906) was the son of a Stockton baker. He moved to Leicester where he became a bank clerk and eventually bank manager. He was involved in many local causes such as the Literary and Philosophical Society, Leicester Society of Artists and the Art Gallery Committee. He was a Justice of the Peace and an active Presbyterian who served on the Vestry for 56 years. Clephan was a member of the Leicester School of Art Committee from 1882 till 1905, steering it through the transition from independent organisation to Council control and seeing the construction of the first wing of the Hawthorn Building. Edwin's daughter Annie (1854-1930) was also a leading member of Leicester society. She was particularly involved in the School Board and devoted herself to establishing better care for deaf, dumb and mentally disabled children. She was also a member of the Leicester branch of the National Council of Women. Annie sat on the Technical and Art Schools Committee from 1903 till 1929, and on her death left £500 to establish a scholarship. Annie's sister Helen was married to Alfred Henry Paget, an architect who was also a member of the Technical and Art Schools Committee. Helen too left £500 to the institution for a prize fund in memory of her father. The building name therefore commemorates a prominent and generous Leicester family.
Brochure commemorating the opening of the Atelier, a workspace for projects of the Design Technology Unit of the School of Architecture, Leicester Polytechnic. Includes photographs of the construction of the Atelier and the work of the DTU. The Atelier was based in the former boiler room of the Clephan Building.
Plans of renovations and additions to the Clephan Building, including the entrance canopy, reception area and ground floor. The architects were Jonathan Smith and Partners of Leicester.
As an institution largely catering for local people, the provision of student accommodation was not necessary in the early years of the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology. Students who needed somewhere to live were housed with private landladies or in hostels. The rapid expansion of student numbers with the formation of Leicester Polytechnic caused an accommodation crisis. Many students were forced to camp out in halls or live with academic staff until lodgings could be found. In light of these problems the Polytechnic began to invest in student accommodation, including purchasing houses for conversion and constructing accommodation blocks. The first purpose designed Hall of Residence was William Rowlett Hall (1970), situated behind the Fletcher Building overlooking the river Soar. The second was Lawrence Kershaw Hall (1972), at the south end of Mill Lane. More recently New Wharf Hall (1995) and Bede Hall (1998) were constructed, while DMU maintains relationships with commercial providers of accommodation that give special arrangements to DMU students.
Report of a working party of the Accommodation Sub-committee of City of Leicester Polytechnic.
City of Leicester Polytechnic
City of Leicester Polytechnic
Administrative papers of RE James, Secretary, including correspondence, press cuttings, reports and plans.
Administrative papers including alterations and renovations of the Midland Hotel on Princess Road to become a hall of residence.
Administrative papers regarding bookings of the Midshipman Bar and the Princess Suite in the Gimson Hall of Residence.
Administrative papers relating to housing on Princess Road, Rawson Street and Regent Road. Includes correspondence, reports and plans.
Administrative papers regarding furniture and equipment.
Administrative papers including correspondence, reports and plans.
Administrative papers regarding Cardinal Street, Wolsey Street and Carisbrooke Road. Including correspondence and plans.
Administrative papers relating to Mary Gee Houses, accommodation which was shared with the University of Leicester.
Administrative file regarding staff living in student accommodation in return for acting as Wardens.
Photograph of the William Rowlett Hall of Residence, with Fletcher Tower in the background.
Double-sided annotated plan for the Newarke Street Building showing studios and classrooms for vocational courses, such as building. The site is now the location for the privately owned halls of residence, Grosvenor House.
The Lero Buildings on Painter Street were used as an extension for the Leicester College of Technology from 1946. Classes in engineering were held in a converted power station, formerly part of the Tramways Department. The name Lero Buildings came from the traditional name for this area of Leicester, a large field labelled "Lero" can be seen on various old maps. Extensions to the building, completed in 1961, required accommodation for engineering workshops, general teaching spaces and an assembly hall, while the older building was to be converted to deal with science teaching. The extension was constructed using the CLASP system, at this time the largest building to use the method. To maintain the connection with the main College, staff were commissioned to produce furniture, mosaics, textiles, murals and sculptures. Part of the new extension was designated Charles Keene College of Further Education. At first managed by the Leicester College of Technology, the College became a separate entity when certain subjects, particularly junior classes, were removed from the curriculum of the Colleges of Art and Technology when they became Leicester Polytechnic. Charles Keene College catered for the 15-18 age group who could not attend the Polytechnic. Since 1999 it has been part of Leicester College and the Lero Buildings were refurbished to form part of the Abbey Park Campus.
The film reels are currently inaccessible as Special Collections does not have the technology to play them.
"City of Leicester Education Committee Further Education Building Programme 1958/1959: Leicester College of Technology and Commerce - The Lero Buildings - second revised scheme for alterations and extensions."
Administrative papers and correspondence relating to the opening of the building, including programme of the event, organisation of lunch, copy of address by Sir Arthur Smout, J.P., and notes on the development of the buildings, their architecture and purpose.
Administration and correspondence regarding the opening of Charles Keene College.
Includes order of proceedings, invitations, plans of the College, prospectus for the College, and photograph from the opening showing Sir David Eccles, Minister of Education, with E.H.D. Sugden, Principal of Charles Keene College, Sir Charles Keene, and R.E. Wood, Principal of the College of Technology.
The negatives show the opening ceremony, the unveiling of a portrait of Sir Charles Keene and Sir David Eccles, Minister of Education, being shown around the College.
The Venue@DMU was purpose-built in 2015 to hold spectacular ceremonies, performances and celebrations. The site previously held a large roller skating rink and boxing venue. It was used for the manufacture of aircraft during the Second World War. Subsequently it became the Boulevard Building of the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology, later renamed the John Sandford Sports Centre.
Two-fold out plans of a proposed animal house to be situated in the Boulevard Building. The architect was E. B. Chapman, Surveyor to the Education Committee, Leicester.
DMU Milton Keynes was founded in March 1992, based at the Kents Hill Campus which was opened by The Queen. DMU withdrew from the campus in 2003.
Administration and correspondence relating to the opening of the campus.
Official commemorative brochure of the opening of the Milton Keynes Campus by Her Majesty The Queen.
Press pack for the opening of the Milton Keynes Campus, explaining Leicester Polytechnic expansion in Milton Keynes and showcasing the work and research of the Polytechnic.
DMU Bedford was founded in 1994 on a merger with the Bedford College of Higher Education. It was based at two campuses: Polhill and Lansdowne. In 2006 the campuses were sold to become part of the new University of Bedfordshire.
Guest pack for the opening of DMU Library Bedford at the Polhill Campus. Includes invitation, programme of events, brochure about the building, and brochure about the history of Bedford Physical Training College.
Photographs of the opening of the DMU Library Bedford, including Vice Chancellor Philip Tasker and Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, who performed the opening ceremony.
Issue of "People Matters", DMU staff newsletter, featuring the opening of the Library, Nov/Dec 2001; and issue 125 of "Architecture Today", featuring the Library, Feb 2002.
DMU Bedford Green Travel Plan, a strategy for increased efficiency of intercampus travel.
The City of Leicester Training College for Teachers opened in 1945 in Humberstone Road. The institution outgrew these premises and in 1954 the Council bought Scraptoft Hall with the surrounding 44 acres of land. Scraptoft is a village to the east of Leicester. The Hall was a Queen Anne manor house which was converted into offices, while new buildings were added on the grounds including an assembly hall, dining hall, library, kitchen, main teaching block, arts and crafts block, music pavilion, gymnasium, administration offices and halls of residence. The College was able to move into these new premises in 1960.
In 1962 further expansion began, including more teaching blocks and halls of residence, a drama theatre, dance studio, language lab and computer link. In 1976 the institution, now known as the City of Leicester College of Education, merged with Leicester Polytechnic. The Polytechnic began operating across two sites, the Central Campus and the Scraptoft Campus. This arrangement continued when the Polytechnic became De Montfort University.
The Scraptoft Campus was sold in 2003 for development.
Further material about the Scraptoft Campus can be found in the papers of the City of Leicester Training College for Teachers, reference D/039.
Document detailing all of the works to be carried out at the Scraptoft site to enable the transfer of the Life Sciences Department from the City Campus.
The architect's plan illustrates all of the alterations to be made to the Scraptoft Campus, including the building of a new animal house, the installation of new laboratories and a greenhouse. The drawing was made by I. Davies, Chief Architect.
Architect's plans of the main teaching block's conversion into laboratory space, including utility supply and furniture. Drawn by R.N.M under Chief Architect, I. Davies.
Architect's plans relating to the conversion of the main teaching block into Laboratory space on the first floor, including utility supply, layout and furniture. Drawn by MB, CB, and RNM under Chief Architect, I. Davies.
Plans for the conversion and layout of new laboratory space. The specific building is not listed but presumably these also refer to the Main Teaching Block where the new Life Science Department was to be transferred. Drawn by MB, RNM, and CB, under Chief Architect, I. Davies.
Plans relating to the construction of an animal house. Drawn by RNM and CT under Chief Architect, I. Davies.
plans relating to the conversion of the Scraptoft grounds and buildings site to accommodate the Life Sciences Deparment, including the construction of a greenhouse and potting shed, a service rail prep room, and alterations to the roof space.Drawn by CB under Chief Architect, I. Davies.
Photographs of Scraptoft's grounds and buildings as well as some interior images of classrooms and laboratories used for teaching Life Sciences.
5 unique transparencies of Scraptoft grounds and gateway. 23 unique transparencies of students at work in the life sciences laboratories and computer labs. The transfer of the School of Life Sciences to Scraptoft took place between 1985 and 1987, with official opening of the labs in June 1987.