Níall McLaughlin Architects

Jesus College

Jesus College
© Nick Kane

JESUS COLLEGE

Niall McLaughlin Architects

ARCHITECTS
Niall McLaughlin Architects

AREA
4140 m²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nick Kane

YEAR
2017

COUNTRY
United Kingdom

CITY
Cambridgeshire

APPROVED BUILDING INSPECTOR
MLM Building Control Limited

MAIN CONTRACTOR
Cocksedge Building Contractors

CLIENT
Jesus College, Cambridge

LOCATION
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Peter Brett Associates

M&E CONSULTANT
David Bedwell & Partners

QUANTITY SURVEYOR COST CONSULTANT
Edmond Shipway

CDM COORDINATOR
Niall McLaughlin Architects with PD Consulting Engineers

OTHER SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS
Acoustic Consultant – Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design; Interior Design – Eve Waldron Design;
Project Manager – Edmond Shipway

MANUFACTURERS
Coleford Brick & Tile, IQ Glass, Ketley Brick, Nordan, Abs Joinery, Aspex, Pacy & Wheatley, Stamford Stone

Text description provided by architect.

The West Court project is the first of three phases. It presented a wonderful opportunity to incorporate these old buildings into a new heart for the College within its historic footprint.

Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane

It was delivered in sequential parts over eighteen months, with the refurbishment of the Grade II listed building handed over first, followed by the new café pavilion and basement bar, and finally the re-modelled 1970’s Rank Building and a new entrance building.

Our designs had to respond to the variety of building stock and site conditions, and the wide range of construction types from renovation to new build.

Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane

The lightweight glazed timber pergola of the café pavilion differs from the substantial brick and oak entrance building which differs again from the balconies and profiled stone walls of the re-modelled Rank Building.

In terms of detailing, there was limited opportunity for repetition. Instead the various elements across the site were unified through a consistent palette of high-quality traditional materials including oak, stone, brick and quarry tiles. These were chosen to suit the historic setting.

Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane

Detailing responds to existing features and local opportunities. Untreated oak glulam framing around glazing was given a chamfered profile to echo the existing stone window surrounds.

We hope the two materials will weather into harmony in time. New stone walls addressing the street have a scalloped texture to give relief, reinforce the verticality of the façade and act as a deterrent for graffiti.

Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane

The timber structure of the pavilion is conceived as a pergola in the landscape, held on slim cigar-shaped columns and delicate cruciform connection details.

The project involved many challenges including stringent planning constraints. A demanding programme, a constrained site and delivering a state-of-the-art lecture theatre with good acoustics in an existing building next to a busy road.

Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane

The success of Phase 1 might be measured by the extent to which it has drawn this disparate collection of buildings back into the vital life of the College community whilst also providing an outward-looking public presence in the centre of Cambridge.


Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane


Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College
© Nick Kane
Jesus College


Jesus College
Basement Plan
Jesus College
1st Floor Plan
Jesus College
2nd Floor Plan
Jesus College
3rd Floor Plan
Jesus College
Roof Plan
Jesus College
Site Plan


Jesus College
Detail
Jesus College
Detail
Jesus College
Detail


Jesus College
Section
Jesus College
Section
Jesus College
Section
Jesus College
3D Section

Níall McLaughlin Architects
T +44 20 74859170
Níall McLaughlin Architects
Bedford House, 125-133 Camden High St, London NW1 7JR, United Kingdom