Newnham College’s reputation for finely-crafted buildings created by people who care has continued into the 21st century, with a string of awards at the Cambridge Design and Construction Awards.
Our new Dorothy Garrod Building was joint winner of the 2019 Craftsmanship Award: a wonderful recognition of the high level of craftsmanship. Particularly highlighted by the judges were the finely laid dogstooth and perforated brickwork, giving fine texture to the facades, but they also stressed the overall quality of the detailing such as of the oak window reveals and the stone surrounds.
Stephen Kelly, Director of Planning was full of praise for the Dorothy Garrod building, calling it “a finely crafted addition to the City”. Cambridge is unusually rich in high quality architectural projects, with the Colleges and University creating outstanding buildings year after year.
Not only the building but the people behind it were recognised, with our builders, SDC, receiving a well-deserved Certificate of Excellence in the Considerate Contractor category, and Peter Armstrong winning Site Manager of the year.
We were pipped at the post to win Best New Building (Large category), which was won by the University’s Storey’s Fields Centre, with whom we shared the Craftsmanship Award. As the Storey’s Fields Centre was shortlisted for the 2018 Sterling Award for Architecture, the UK’s top architectural award, we are in fine company.
Cindy Walters, the architect behind the building, commented, “It has been a great honour for Walters and Cohen to be able to stitch a significant new building into the fine fabric of historic buildings and exemplary gardens that define Newnham College. These awards are testament to a visionary client and a dedicated project team.”
Newnham Senior Member in Architecture, Benedicte Foo, our Buildings Manager Andy Kite, Cindy Walters and many people from SDC attended the awards. The group particularly appreciated that Toby Williams, our planning officer from Cambridge City Council, came along to support us.
However, most important is that the Dorothy Garrod Building is a warm and welcoming home for Newnham students, and an equally warm and productive workplace for Senior Members and staff. As we approach our 150th anniversary, an emphasis on outstanding surroundings to enable outstanding work continues.