The City of Portsmouth required a building that would provide a suitable landmark to a prominent corner site in the city centre. The height of the new building should form a transition between the existing six storey University building and the future four storey development on the White Swan site.

The building provides accommodation for Pharmacy and Physics, Undergraduate and Research Departments: With the exception of the lecture theatres and the large teaching laboratories which are accommodated in the semi-circular corner, the remaining accommodation is planned in a less specific and flexible manner.