In 2010, it was renamed in honor of Sir Geoffrey Peren, the first principal of the university's forerunner, Massey Agricultural College.

[1] On 4 December 1929 the foundation stone of the Science Building was laid by the Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson.

In addition to Art Deco features, the building is an early example in New Zealand of indigenous cultural and natural design elements being incorporated into modernist architecture - some design motifs mimic Māori carvings and natural elements such as plants and animals of New Zealand.

[6] The initial layout of the building included offices for staff, lecture rooms, a library and twelve laboratories for agriculture and science.

[9][10] This refurbishment saw the building restored to its original condition and the project won the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute or Architects' Western Architecture Award for Heritage in 2016.