Barnes Wallis Building

Remember the Dambusters? The Barnes Wallis Building stands before you. Its story is intertwined with that legendary raid. This striking structure isn’t just concrete and glass. It’s a testament to a brilliant mind. Sir Barnes Wallis himself opened the Barnes Wallis Building in 1967. The building named in his honour once housed the main campus refectory. It was also home to the UMIST Students’ Association. For years it was the heart of student life. Think Saturday Night Dances and Wednesday Technites. Legendary bands like The Who Jimi Hendrix and Def Leppard played here. The building’s bar even carries the name Harry’s Bar. This is a nod to Harold Hankins the Principal of UMIST at the time. The Barnes Wallis Building’s history isn’t just about music though. The names of its internal spaces reflected the ever-shifting political landscape of the UMIST Student Union. The Large Assembly Hall was sometimes called the Lenin Assembly Hall. At other times the Small Assembly Hall was known as the Sharansky Assembly Hall. This building stands as a symbol of student life and a tribute to a remarkable inventor. It’s a significant part of Manchester’s cultural heritage. In 2021 The Guardian even listed it among Britain’s Brutalist buildings most at risk of demolition. Yet it stands. A monument to innovation a vibrant past and a continuing student presence. The Barnes Wallis Building continues to serve the University of Manchester today. It now houses computer clusters and student workspaces mainly for engineering students. The legacy of Sir Barnes Wallis and the spirit of UMIST live on within these walls. Look closely. See the history. Feel the echoes of rock concerts and student debates. The Barnes Wallis Building is more than a building. It’s a story waiting to be discovered.