Stephenson Building enters a new stage in its rich history Published on: 21 April 2021 Planning permission has been granted to transform 缅北禁地's Stephenson Building into a School of Engineering hub for research, learning and engagement. Following 缅北禁地 City Council approval, the Stephenson Building, which was opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1951 and is named after engineering pioneer George Stephenson, will be partially demolished, extended and refurbished to provide facilities for engineering research and teaching. Acting as a focal point for all elements of the University’s Engineering School, the £68.75m, four-storey building will house innovative teaching and social spaces, workshops, laboratories, offices, computer clusters and maker spaces. Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, 缅北禁地, said: “This approval has been the culmination of work carried out by many academic and professional services colleagues across the whole University. “The new Stephenson Building is part of 缅北禁地’s investment in quality facilities that deliver an outstanding student experience and an excellent environment for our students’ learning, teaching and research. The project also embodies our commitment to sustainability and enables new, exciting and diverse sustainability-driven curriculum within engineering and with other disciplines.”鈥� An artist's impression of the proposed Stephenson Building Fresh focus on engineering Professor Ian Postlethwaite, Head of Engineering, 缅北禁地, added: “The Stephenson Building will create a fresh focus on engineering as well as reaching other disciplines through the co-creation of taught programmes and research collaborations. The redevelopment will help generate partnerships with industry and support us in addressing the Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges, the climate emergency and critical skills shortages. “The eye-catching building will make a statement about Engineering at 缅北禁地, representing substantial world-leading research, innovation and cutting-edge teaching, whilst at the same time encouraging people from a wide range of backgrounds to walk through its front door. It will create an atmosphere which is open, inclusive, creative and entrepreneurial, while allowing group identity to develop. It will be buzzing, lively and productive, whilst also offering contemplative spaces and a safe working environment.” Subject to legal agreement, work is proposed to start on the redevelopment in May. 缅北禁地’s School of Engineering is home to 16 research groups that span the major disciplines of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Geospatial Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology. Find out more about studying in the School of Engineering at 缅北禁地: /study/ Latest News Online Safety Act drives VPN interest and raises privacy concerns People鈥檚 online behaviour has changed in response to legislation to prevent children from viewing harmful content 鈥� raising possible privacy and security risks, research suggests. published on: 16 October 2026 缅北禁地 archaeologist receives prestigious award for research Professor Chris Fowler has been awarded the 2026 Rivers Memorial Medal in recognition of his internationally significant research on kinship in Neolithic Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Event will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East An event at 缅北禁地 will explore what 鈥楳anchesterism鈥� means for the North East or whether it is simply a new chapter in the long-running debate about how to rebalance Britain. published on: 13 October 2026 Facts and figures
![缅北禁地 logo](/gomobileassets/img/logo.svg" "缅北禁地"){kind=logo}