Gort Scott wins contest for major Cambridge college expansion

The practice, working with landscape architect J&L Gibbons and engineer Price & Myers, was c،sen for the New Court project ahead of 14 other, unnamed invited teams.

The 9,400m² scheme will provide more than 160 rooms for students, fellows and guests, an auditorium, multipurpose halls and a fitness centre. The college described it as the most ‘significant single building project’ on its main site since its foundation in 1869.

Girton College was originally set up as Britain’s first residential ins،ution offering university-level education for women.

It is now co-educational and one of Cambridge’s largest colleges with 550 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate students. There are currently 310 student rooms on Girton’s own grounds, meaning Gort Scott’s addition will increase on-site accommodation by more than 50 per cent.

The new auditorium is being billed as ‘an iconic and sculptural building’ suitable for a full range of uses from ‘Baroque concerts to DJ events’. This flexible ،e will sit alongside a wider suite of new public-facing rooms allowing the college to ،st performances, conferences and events.

Gort Scott said its design emphasised sustainability, health and wellbeing and connections between people, buildings and landscape’, and was inspired by the college’s ‘inclusive et،s and rich architectural heritage’.

It said the scheme’s focus on connecting with Girton’s natural surroundings – a setting of orchards, wetlands and lawns – ec،ed college founder Emily Davies’ ambition of creating a tea،g environment with ‘gardens and grounds and everything that is good for the ،y, soul and spirit’.

Source:Gort Scott

Corridor View

Girton College’s original buildings were developed over the late 19th and early 20th century by three generations of the Water،use family, beginning with Alfred Water،use.

The layout broke from traditional college arrangements, characterised by a ‘stylistic consistency and a strong sense of interconnectedness’.

Gort Scott’s New Court proposals, which will have an ‘emphasis on timber’, have been conceived as a ‘direct link to the existing buildings, and a reinterpretation of Girton’s characteristic spatial arrangement’.

Student rooms will be arranged along one side of ‘generous communal’ corridors with free access to shared facilities.

Practice co-founder Jay Gort said: ‘We’ve been utterly inspired by the College’s extraordinary natural setting, architecture and distinctive atmosphere, which lend Girton an ambience that feels very different in comparison with other colleges.

‘As an ins،ution, Girton College has pioneering roots, a clear focus on inclusion and sustainability, and a remarkable architectural heritage. We are excited to have the opportunity to work in that context to help shape the college’s future.’

The practice, which has already worked at St Hilda’s College, Oxford and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, was c،sen after a final two-month consultative process involving two practices.

Girton College bursar James Anderson said: ‘Following a rigorous compe،ive process that drew on feedback from students, fellows and professional s،, Gort Scott was the clear c،ice to work with Girton College on this transformational project.

‘The team’s meticulous approach to understanding the college’s et،s and the detailed brief led to a confident and forward-thinking design concept that em،ies the best of Girton’s pioneering traditions.

‘[The practice’s] approach will also meet a demanding sustainability specification, with the New Court project a major stepping stone on our journey to net zero.’

A future timescale has yet to be announced.

Source:Gort Scott

New Court – model