The Dorothy Garrod’s Building

After undertaking a site-wide masterplan study with Walters & Cohen Architects, a prime site was chosen at the heart of the college grounds to provide a contemporary complement to the magnificent ensemble of historic buildings designed by Basil Champneys between 1875 and 1910.

Beautifully crafted in handmade red brick, the new building provides important new facilities for the college, including a new entrance and Porters’ Lodge, conference facilities, a rooftop gym, staff offices, meeting and supervision rooms, as well as 90 en-suite student bedrooms with communal kitchen and social areas. The ground-floor café, also open to non-college residents, has become a popular social destination for Cambridge students.

A succession of gardens anchors the new building and continues the college’s long tradition of gardening excellence. These were designed in close collaboration with the Head Gardener, who impressively grew most of the herbaceous plants used in the project. The spaces range from the Porters’ Lodge courtyard and its mathematical fountain, to the café terrace and main lawn, subdivided by a grid of planted borders, trees and seating subtly related to the rhythm of the old and new buildings. A long planted walk provides a buffer and privacy for the adjacent ground-floor student accommodation.

On the roof, a planted terrace provides space for outdoor entertaining, with planted seating areas and fields of lavender.