The concept for the building was originally commissioned as a memorial to Prince Albert and intended to contain room for lectures, museum, picture gallery and a reference library for students by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. It was agreed that the funding for the building should be provided by the inhabitants of Dundee.
The initial design for the building was conceived as a tribute to Prince Albert and aimed to provide facilities like lecture halls, a museum, an art gallery, and a student-focused reference library. The funding for this project was entrusted to the residents of Dundee.