The Simon Sainsbury Centre.

The location of the building in Cambridge’s historical city centre brought many constraints; we worked around these to deliver a mixture of lecture spaces, teaching areas and offices via several new-build structures that meet the needs of this growing institution whilst remaining sensitive towards its surroundings.

Liaison with residents in nearby buildings was important, as was monitoring the transfer of ground-borne vibrations from equipment and machinery into these structures: neighbouring staff and students needed to be able to continue with their day-to-day activities, unaffected in terms of access, noise, dust and vibrations. As well as dealing with delicate, ageing materials, we also had to consider scientific equipment within the buildings, assessing ground movement to minimise impact upon the functions of these departments.

In the Tennis Court Road section of the site, the design included large-span auditoria at ground level, with offices above. A feature atrium connects the new building with the existing structure, providing a light, airy space at the entrance, and uses a sculpted concrete frame set at centres that match the structural rhythm of the hospital building. Here Stanton Williams’ contemporary architecture works effortlessly with that of the existing building. As with much of their architecture, expression of material is a key feature, and much of the concrete is exposed and expressed within the design.

2019 RIBA National Award

2019 RIBA Regional Award

2019 Civic Trust Award

2019 Civic Trust Award – Michael Middleton Special Award

2018 Schueco Excellence Awards – Overall Winner & Education Award

2020 Cambridge Design and Construction Award