Original features

The University of Liverpool's refurbished engineering building sets out to transform the teaching of the subject through its Active Learning Laboratory.

The development has already changed Liverpool's skyline, with a dramatic display of light-emitting diodes visible throughout the city, across the water in the Wirral and even from aircraft using Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The Active Learning Laboratory was completed in March as part of a £32 million investment to upgrade the department of engineering.

It consists of two large open spaces that can accommodate an entire year's intake of 250 students.

These spaces can be adapted to form a design studio, a manufacturing facility with machine tools, or an area where teams can test the machines they have designed and built.

The facade of the laboratory is made up of 826 glass panels sandwiched with a dotted pattern.

The translucent dots deflect some of the Sun's rays while allowing in enough light to ensure that the interior is well lit.

Please send any suggestions for this architectural series to: matthew.reisz@tsleducation.com