ABOUT GIRTON COLLEGE:

Girton College was established in 1869 as the first women's college at the University of Cambridge. Today, it is a co-educational college and one of the largest at the University. The main Girton site north of the city is home to striking red brick buildings, set amongst mature woods and parkland.  

DESIGN CHALLENGE:

Source and supply all the furniture and lighting to the café and Porters Lodge. Responding to a historic building, recently refurbished by Allies and Morrison Architects; whilst providing modern furniture that suits a new generation of students and stakeholders and ties in with the colours and finishes.

THE SOLUTION:

We selected furniture which is robust, easy to clean and maintain and which appeals to a variety of users. The furniture worked to support function, and not only looks good but creates an engaging environment that is conducive to collaboration, concentration and relaxation. We worked closely with the college and architects to ensure that we incorporated materials which worked well with the building’s finishes and also tied in with the college colours. We included plants in the scheme to help bring the outside in – and which are beneficial for wellness principles. The resulting spaces are proving very popular.