As part of the original campus masterplan by Robert Matthew, the closely related disciplines of Architecture and Civil Engineering would be clustered together in a single complex of two buildings.

The neighbouring Colville Building (designed by Matthew's own practice), joins to the south of the Architecture School by way of an open air plaza.

The thin footprint of the building reflected its restricted position at the summit of Balmanno Brae, with the northern elevation looking out onto a landscaped area containing Gerald Laing's Callanish steel sculptures.

The exterior of the building consists of 12 precast concrete bays decorated by copperised screening panels, which are cantilevered over a pedestrian walkway at ground level, thus giving shelter from the elements.

Part of this was to cluster the engineering departments on the "Island Site" (the original Royal College and James Weir Building) - with both the Departments of Architecture and Civil Engineering moving from their former homes, thus leaving both the School of Architecture and the Colville Building redundant.