Details
Location - Cambridge, Great Britain
Architect - Walters & Cohen Architects
Brickwork Contractor - Caxton Brickwork/SDC Builders Ltd
Brick - Sidgwick Blend, bespoke blended mix
About the project
The new building knits itself among those designed by Basil Champneys 100 years earlier and creates a new frontage for the College on Sidgwick Avenue. The rational, elegant design balances solidity with transparency: generous glazing alternates with full-height brickwork panels where a ‘hit-and-miss’ element weaves seamlessly into the texture, detail and interest of the elevation. Particular attention was paid to the brick facades of the other buildings at Newnham, looking at the mortar and bonding, the colours, textures, rhythm, articulation, decoration and other details that make this site unique.
Adopting the Arts and Crafts tenet of ‘truth to materials’, the contemporary hit-and-miss detail in handmade brick complements but never mimics the Champneys buildings. The success of the facade relies on the detail of the design, quality materials, and highly skilled craftsmanship.
Sponsored by ACS Stainless Steel
ACS has led product and process innovation for over 35 years and we often forge the path where others then follow. Our proactive approach has kept us at the forefront of the industry. This has enabled our business to become the manufacturer of choice for the largest brickwork and sub-contractors in the UK.
