It has already cleared a central site at the centre of its College Lane Campus in south Hatfield for the landmark 165,000 sq ft project.
Designed by multi-disciplinary consultant BDP, the planned five-storey SPECS building is compartmentalised into three separate internal blocks divided by a central T-shaped atrium.
The university is aiming for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard building with a mixed facade of materials from corrugated metal, paying homage to aircraft hangers and the original technical college founded by De Havilland, to bickwork and curtain walling.