Grafton Architects wins Cambridge University library competition

A Grafton Architects-designed proposal for the new Library at Christ’s College, Cambridge University, has been selected over four other proposals in an international competition and is now advancing toward a 2026 construction start date.

The 2020 Pritzker Prize winners' redevelopment concept will entail adding a new kitchen and social areas to be used by the college's community of scholars, who are also contributing to the process on a first-hand basis through public consultations that will continue this month. A spokesperson for Grafton stated: “Our proposal seeks to create an environmentally and historically responsive set of new spaces and places, which will be embedded in the cultural values of this college.” 

The design is supposedly inspired by Charles Darwin, who studied at Cambridge between 1827 and 1831, as well as the surrounding courtyards and building exteriors. It follows Niall McLaughlin Architects' New Library project for neighbor Magdalene College, which won the 2022 Stirling Prize. Grafton founders Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara will look to their own past Stirling-winning work on the Kingston University Town House from the previous year in the delivery of the Christ's College project, their first at Cambridge University since the firm was established in 1978.