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Thomas Edward Collcutt was employed to design the Imperial Institute in 1887. Conceived as part of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilation celebrations, the building was intended to house a museum, exhibition space, and to act as a place for the discussion and research of Colonial and Indian products and manufacture.

The principal or "Queen's" tower was the centrepiece to Collcutt's Renaissance style building. The signed statement in the top corner of this drawing shows that it was a contract drawing, giving full details of dimensions and materials, even listing the trap doors in each level to prevent the spread of fire. The foundation stone of the Institute was laid by Queen Victoria in 1887 and the building was opened in 1893.

From 1895 onwards the University of London began to occupy parts of the structure. In 1958 the Institute, which by now was known as the Commonwealth Institute, moved out to new premises in Kensington High Street. Plans were made to demolish Collcutt's building, to replace it with a modern structure more suited to the needs of the University and Imperial College, its new tenant.  

The proposal to demolish this Victorian landmark provoked a public outcry, resulting in many different debates, and ultimately the saving of the Queen's tower. Issues of architectural style and changing fashions, the decline of the British Empire, ownership of a public building, and the changing needs and function of a building, were all raised by this fascinating debate. The RIBA archive contains a wealth of material relating to the demolition of Imperial Institute and you too can join in the debate later in the year when Albertopolis goes live.