A tall, blunt, white skyscraper designed by Charles Holden in 1931 and built 1933-37. In addition to the administrative offices, it houses the central library and Institute of Historical Research, and around its base cluster the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Birkbeck College, the Students' Union and the Institutes of Education and School of Oriental and African Studies [SOAS]. The finely proportioned Grade II-listed building has been likened to Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow and the Portland stone-clad stepped mass is said to be reminiscent of an Aztec Temple. The interiors have classic regular proportions, the Crush Hall has wrought iron features. Refurbishment in the early 2000s retained and enhanced the Travertine marble walls and floors.