Canterbury College was fortunate to have not one but two Mountforts involved in the design of the College buildings. Following in the footsteps of his well-known father, Cyril Mountfort was responsible for the design of the Electrical Engineering Laboratory. The Board of Governors resolved "That Mr C. J. Mountfort be asked to prepare sketch plan and estimates of an electrical engineering laboratory, 75ft by 54ft, as suggested by Professor Scott, in brick or brick and stone facings.鈥 The use of brick would have been a cost saving measure.
The building was completed in 1902 at at cost of 拢3,453. Among the conveniences the two storey building offered was that it was fully lighted with electricity. Whatever improvements it held though, the building was looked down on at the time for being constructed out of red brick.聽
