Libeskind drops a shard of stainless-steel agitation into everyday London—and makes a university entrance feel like an event.
University in London, England.
Featured in Daniel Libeskind's definitive monograph, Breaking Ground: An Immigrant's Journey.
Visitor Guide
The exterior reads best while moving—walk past it twice from opposite directions; the 'slashes' in the skin snap into alignment like frames in a flipbook.
Holloway Road sidewalk opposite the main façade—late afternoon for specular highlights on the metal panels; avoid midday glare unless you want pure abstraction.
Mostly not a casual public interior—access is generally for staff/students or specific events. Treat it as an exterior study unless you’re attending something on campus.
Those aggressive window-cuts are less about views and more about turning a banal street elevation into a cinematic sequence—Libeskind’s urban strategy in miniature.
20–40 minutes
Design & Structure
Composed as intersecting volumes with a highly articulated envelope—geometry used to amplify entry/threshold conditions. Digital modeling to resolve faceted openings and panelization; craftsmanship shows in how the skin wraps the corners.
Embossed stainless-steel cladding (for a constantly shifting reflectivity) and sharply cut glazing (to reinforce the 'incision' reading).
The challenge is less span than precision: coordinating structure, envelope, and irregular apertures so the façade reads as one continuous, kinked surface.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with London Metropolitan University — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Daniel Libeskind
View all →
Denver Art Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
Bundeswehr Military History Museum
Contemporary Jewish Museum
Felix Nussbaum Haus
Jewish Museum Berlin
Nearby in City of London
One New Change
The Gherkin
Willis Building (London)
Lloyd's building
88 Wood Street
Moor House
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed London Metropolitan University?+
London Metropolitan University was designed by Daniel Libeskind and completed in 2002. It is located in City of London, United Kingdom.
Where is London Metropolitan University located?+
London Metropolitan University is located in City of London, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 51.5516°, -0.1107°.
When was London Metropolitan University built?+
London Metropolitan University was completed in 2002. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind.
Can I visit London Metropolitan University?+
London Metropolitan University is a real building in City of London that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.