Project Overview
This project involves the demolition of three existing student accommodation buildings and the construction of new 132-bedroom student accommodation set within villa-style buildings.
The project is designed to compliment the visually attractive surrounding college buildings.
Consisting of five 3 & 4 storey buildings with high-quality CLT frames, Mount Pleasant will provide a highly sustainable form of accommodation for St John’s College’s increasingly diverse student body. Internally, the building will contain laundry facilities to enhance student living.
Externally, breakout and socialising areas will create spaces for the ideas and education of the student community to flourish.
Conscious of the University of Cambridge’s pledge to sustainability, associated cycle parking and improved waste storage and disposal will be available to residents. What makes this scheme particularly compelling is the Passivhaus design, giving us the best chance for achieving net zero.
Mount Pleasant aims to have healthy and effective ventilation.
The design seeks to improve the quality of life for residents by reducing internal pollutants, eliminate cold homes and reduce the possibility of condensation and mould. Additionally, the existing Knott building will be refurbished to the EnerPhit standard and extended with new build elements also meeting the Passivhaus standard.
Core Team
Andy Shiner
Board Director
Andy embarked on a career in construction at 18, starting with a carpentry apprenticeship. During three years with local carpentry firms, he gained experience erecting timber frames and honed first and second fix carpentry skills, developing a strong foundation in building finishes and trade collaboration.
In 2008, Andy transitioned to site management, joining SDC Builders Ltd as an Assistant Site Manager while pursuing a part-time Foundation Degree in Construction Management. Working on complex projects valued at up to £20m, he developed skills in logistics, programming, and health and safety. He was promoted to Site Manager in 2010, managing notable projects for clients such as Babraham Bioscience Technologies and the University of Cambridge.
By 2015, Andy had advanced to the roles of Construction Manager and then Contracts Manager, overseeing multiple projects with a combined value of up to £50m. His role expanded to include pre-construction planning, financial oversight, and post-occupancy responsibilities. In 2018, he became a Project Director, contributing to company-wide decision-making before joining SDC’s Board of Directors in 2020.
As a Board Director, Andy oversees the delivery of three or four projects simultaneously, guiding teams through tender preparation, construction, and completion. His extensive experience working on-site enables him to effectively support site staff and gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Andy also leads strategic initiatives, mentors staff and manages the key Plant Hire department. Building and maintaining client relationships is a central focus, supporting the company’s high rate of repeat business, which accounts for 80% of turnover.
Tom Fenner
Project Director
Tom started his career after graduating with a First-Class Degree in Construction Engineering Management from the University of Loughborough. Tom has been with SDC since 2015, where he has progressed to Project Director. Over the years, Tom has gained extensive experience in overseeing large-scale, multifaceted developments, building a solid reputation for successfully delivering complex and high-profile projects. His expertise and leadership have been pivotal in ensuring the seamless execution of projects, earning him the trust and respect of both colleagues and clients alike.
Matt Varey
Construction Manager
Carl Seager
Commissioning Manager
Yen Bennett
Senior Quantity Surveyor
Ann Freeman
Design Manager
Tim Strickland
Project Liaison Manager
