The site, on the south-east outskirts of the city of Tripoli, is undulating and was at one time farmed by Italians who left many small buildings and avenues of trees. The College of Advanced Technology was functioning here at the time of the commission to prepare a master plan and design buildings for the University of Libya.

Built in phases, the university supported 30,000 students, providing faculties of Agriculture, Education, Engineering and Chemistry, with a Marine Biological Station located on the coast. Dormitories and dining halls for 2,500 students were completed at an early stage. The faculty of education for 3,000 students was designed to provide a bridge between leaving school and entering the full academic program. In support of this, a large language laboratory for improving students understanding of international languages such as English and French was added.