Dorothy Garrod Building

Dorothy Garrod Building

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SDC has recently completed an ambitious redevelopment project for Newnham College in Cambridge. Construction of the £21m Dorothy Garrod Building commenced in April 2017, with the doors officially opening on 29 September 2018 in time for the new academic year. The state-of-the-art development brings together teaching, research, conference and social space downstairs, with high-quality student rooms on the upper two floors – all topped by a roof garden with a glass gym and meeting space. Inside the building, there are 90 en-suite bedrooms boasting huge windows, high ceilings, built in bookcases and oak flooring.

One of the standout features of this prestigious project was the masonry package, with the façade constructed using a handmade Northcot Sidgwick blend and natural cement lime mortar. There were nine different shaped bricks in total laid in a variety of bonds, including Stretcher, English Garden Wall, Dogstooth and Hit and Miss panels.

  • For me, the remarkable discovery as we moved outside was the brickwork. The new accommodation connects to the Fawcett building (1938) and there is harmony between the two in the rhythm of the windows and expressive use of brick in the facades. It is a bold thing to do in the heart of a college site, but it has been done with confidence.

    Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Despite these standout features, the new building does not impose on the surrounding historic buildings and gardens, sitting comfortably between the Champney’s buildings on Sidgwick Avenue.

The new building for Newnham College was named after the College’s first female Professor, Dorothy Garrod. In announcing the news, Professor Dame Black stated:

  • We are delighted to announce that Newnham College’s new building will be named after Professor Dorothy Garrod. A Newnham student and Fellow, her election to the Disney Chair in Archaeology was remarkable. We hope this building, named in her honour, will be a reminder of her pioneering work and an inspiration for future generations.

    Professor Dame Black

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