Cambridge Architecture – Buildings + Designs

Cambridge Architecture, English Building, Photos, Guide, Architects, Designs, Links, News

Cambridge Architecture : Buildings

Contemporary Architecture Developments in Southeast England, UK

post updated 3 May 2022
Cambridge Architecture Designs : links

Architecture in Cambridge

We’ve selected what we feel are the key examples of Cambridge Buildings. We cover completed buildings, new building designs, architectural exhibitions and architecture competitions across Cambridgeshire. Our focus is on contemporary buildings in Great Brtiain.

We have 5 pages of Cambridge Architecture selections.

Cambridge Architecture : news + key projects (this page)

Cambridge Buildings : A-D

Cambridge Building Developments : E-I

Cambridge Architecture Developments : J-N

Cambridge Building Designs : O-Z

Cambridge Architecture – Introduction

Cambridge is famous for its old and distinguished and prestigious University colleges. Like its twin city Oxford it has much brilliant historic and contemporary architecture. Cambridge is set on the River Cam and many of the colleges back onto gardens along the river, called The Backs, giving Cambridge a lot of its charm. Each college competes against the other to attain better and more beautiful architecture. Famous architects with buildings here include Norman Foster, Leslie Martin and Ted Cullinan.

We’ve selected what we feel are the key examples of Cambridge Architecture. Buildings are mostly located in the colleges. We aim to include Cambridge buildings / projects that are either of top quality or interesting, or ideally both.

Cambridge Architecture Walking Tours
Cambridge School of Architecture
photograph : David Butler
Cambridge Architecture Walking Tours – launched by e-architect

Latest Cambridge Building Designs

Cambridge Mosque
Design: Marks Barfield Architects
Cambridge Mosque Building
image from architects
Cambridge Mosque – 28 Nov 2011
The proposed mosque building will allow the downsizing of the existing overcrowded facility, housed in a former chapel on Mawson Road, which is no longer physically capable of accommodating Cambridge’s growing Muslim community. Visitors will be able to experience a gradual transition, through a garden, a covered portico, and an atrium, into the main prayer hall which is oriented towards Mecca. The building will be naturally lit and create an overall impression of calm, stillness, stability, quiet and focus.

Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge Botanic Garden
Design: Stanton Williams
Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge
image : Nigel Luckhurst
Sainsbury Laboratory. 4 May 2011
This building, a major new plant science research centre in Cambridge by architects Stanton Williams, has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2012 for the best building of the year. The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize, awarded to the architects of the best new European building built or designed in the UK. Set within the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens the low-rise, collonaded stone and glass building is carefully designed to complement its Grade II listed garden setting. The architects have created an exceptionally stimulating work environment, reinterpreting the tradition of the monastic cloister and collegiate court.

Ten Key Cambridge Buildings

Cambridge Architecture Designs, chronological:

1. Kings College Chapel
1446-1515
Design: various architects / masons

2. Queens’ College – Old Court & Cloister Court
1448-1540
Design: various architects

3. Emmanuel College – Chapel Building
1674
Design: Christopher Wren Architect

4. Downing College – Wilkins buildings
1820
Design: William Wilkins, Architect

5. Fitzwilliam Museum Buildings
1841
Design: George Basevi, Architect

6. St John’s College – Cripps Building
1967
Design: Powell & Moya Architects

7. Faculty of History
1968
Design: James Stirling Architect

8. Queens’ College – Cripps Court
1980
Design: Powell & Moya Architects

9. Robinson College Buildings
1980
Design: Gillespie Kidd & Coia

10. Centre for Mathematical Sciences
2003
Design: Edward Cullinan Architects

Other important buildings include the first Cambridge college, Peterhouse, the Senate House and Trinity College’s Great Court

Cambridge Building News

Cambridge Architecture

Key Cambridge Architecture Projects, alphabetical:

Accordia Housing, Brooklands Avenue, south side of city centre
Design: various Architects
accordia development
photo © Adrian Welch
Accordia Housing

Cambridge University Dept of Architecture – located just Northwest of the Accordia Housing
Design: Mole Architects
Cambridge School of Architecture
photograph : David Butler
Cambridge School of Architecture

Churchill College – original buildings
Design: Richard Sheppard, Robson & Partners
Churchill College
image : Isabelle Lomholt
Churchill College Storey’s Way

Downing College buildings
Design: William Wilkins ; Quinlan Terry architect
Downing College
photograph © AW
Downing College Buildings, Regent Street – an austere and very spacious layout compared to the older colleges closer into the historic city centre. The Neoclassical style has been kept going through the 20th Century, with the Quinlan Terry designs proving controversial when built. I recall the Architectural Review carrying some highly critical articles on these, and I had the fortune to visit these buildings many times due to Downing being my father and brother’s college.

Emmanuel College Chapel, St Andrew’s St
Design: Christopher Wren Architect
Emmanuel College
picture © Adrian Welch
Emmanuel College Buildings – this is such a delightful composition, one of my favourites in the city – Ed. Adrian Welch

Faculty of History, University of Cambridge
James Stirling Architect
History Faculty Cambridge
photo © AW
History Faculty Cambridge Sidgwick Site

Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street
George Basevi
Fitzwilliam Museum
photograph : Isabelle Lomholt
Fitzwilliam Museum Building

Queens’ College Old Court & Cloister Court
Design: various architects
Queens College Cambridge building
image : Isabelle Lomholt
Queens College Cambridge building

Robinson College Buildings
Gillespie Kidd & Coia
Robinson College Cambridge
picture © AW
Robinson College Buildings, Grange Rd

St John’s College Buildings
Rickman & Hutchison
St Johns College Cambridge
picture © Adrian Welch
St Johns College, off St John’s Street

More Cambridge Architecture online soon

Cambridge Architects

Location: Cambridge, Southeast England, UK

Cambridge Architecture Links

Cambridge Building News

Cambridge Architect Offices

John McAslan + Partners architects for the Museum of Zoology

Cambridge University building
Faculty of English Building
image © AW

Travel Lodge Cambridge Hotel

Buildings / photos for the New Cambridge Architecture page welcome

Architecture