Chemistry was first recognized as a separate discipline at Oxford University in the 19th century. From 1855, a chemistry laboratory existed in a basement at Balliol College. In 1879, Balliol and Trinity agreed to have a laboratory at the boundary of the two colleges. The laboratory became the strongest of the Oxford college research institutions in chemistry. It remained in operation until the Second World War when a new Physical Chemistry Laboratory (PCL) was constructed by Oxford University in the Science Area.