Designs for a new annexe to the university by Norman ‘Gherkin’ Foster have been approved by Mayor Boris Johnson. The scheme will kiss up harmoniously to Imperial’s Business school, the oversized reception area also designed by Foster on Exhibition Road.

The new building will house laboratories, lecture theatres and conference facilities. Here’s the fellah, skulking behind some trees:

And here’s how it’ll fit into the grander scheme of things:

The streets of South Kensington will rumble under the wheels of construction vehicles for some time. As well as this new development, and new galleries at the Science Museum, work has already begun to part-pedestrianise the area.

Oh, and here’s one more view of the new building, showing the bold facade proposed by Foster.