Pembroke College, Cambridge 2023

The light-touch conversion of the former Emmanuel United Reform Church to a flexible performance and lecture space forms part of the proposed expansion of Pembroke College within the Old Press Mill Lane site in central Cambridge. The church was built in 1874 to designs by Architect James Cubitt. The comprehensive refurbishment will retain the architectural primacy of the original fabric, form and finishes, while introducing new services and technical infrastructure to enhance the flexibility and acoustic characteristics of the space. New bespoke seating will provide 160-170 seats for lectures and recitals and can be removed for exams, dances and other events. Flexible staging also allows for an expandable stage area to accommodate larger groups of musicians. New heating and ventilation and secondary glazing will substantially reduce the energy load of the new venue and enable the Church to connect to the site-wide fossilfuel free services infrastructure. A new, timber framed foyer and study space connects the church to a new public courtyard and to Trumpington St via a new gate lodge and gallery space, incorporating an existing house. Works commenced on site in June 2021, and will complete in 2023.