FITZWILLIAM COLLEGE
Imagine if buildings could remain fit-for-purpose indefinitely
Project Insight
Renewing an existing building is more sustainable than starting again. We believe in the need to take care of buildings so they can continue to be used and enjoyed, and to combat climate damaging carbon emissions associated with demolition and new build.
The heart of life at Fitzwilliam College campus evolves around the Central Building. Students, staff and visitors have dined, debated and made history within its walls since its opening in 1963. Restoration was essential for it to continue to flourish as a social hub.
Project Idea
Fitzwilliam College is a mid-20th century masterpiece by the eminent architect Sir Denys Lasdun. Through detailed consultation with the College we explored how we could sensitively reconfigure the layout of the Central Building to adapt to future needs, improve thermal comfort and reduce energy demand.
Project Design
The highlight of the Central Building is a magical pre-cast concrete scalloped lantern, which hovers over the brick elevations and floods light into the dining hall. The lantern’s spectacular symmetry can be enjoyed from within and outside. We sought to tackle the challenge of how to waterproof the complex shaped lantern, without visually altering or compromising the original design.
Together with the College, contractors and suppliers we developed a unique solution, combining a mix of membrane, liquid coating, flooring systems and effective detailing to provide a complete building envelope solution. The pioneering approach developed on this project can now be applied to protect other buildings, perhaps opening-up new possibilities for roof design in the future.
Life at Fitzwilliam had to go on while works took place, with the Central Building continuing to host the College’s busy calendar of events. To facilitate this, a large specialist scaffold structure was erected for the duration of the work.
This iconic Brutalist gem of a building is now renewed and fit to continue to house the hustle and bustle of Fitzwilliam’s thriving college community.
