Stirling building visual showing the new South Pavilion
Work has started on a major refurbishment to safeguard the University of Cambridge’s Grade II* listed Stirling Building. Designed by Sir James Stirling and completed in 1968, the building is one of the most significant works of post‑war British architecture.
The refurbishment will transform the building into a modern, flexible and sustainable academic hub for the Faculty of History, the Seeley Library and the wider Sidgwick Site, with completion scheduled for 2028.
Jess Mailey, Architect Director at BDP and Lead Architect on the project, said, “Reaching this milestone has taken a huge amount of collaboration across the project team, the University and our delivery partners.
"The refurbishment brings renewed life to an extraordinary building, retaining its distinctive character and sense of architectural intensity, while creating more open, inclusive and sustainable spaces for teaching, research and collaboration across the Sidgwick Site. The start of construction marks an important step in securing its future as a place of scholarship and exchange for the next generation.”
Dan Changer, Board Director at SDC Builders, “We are delighted to have commenced work on the refurbishment of this important piece of 20th-century architecture. Fundamental to our involvement is ensuring that the completed building retains the qualities of its architectural heritage while being brought up to modern building standards in terms of environmental performance and maintainability.”
A vibrant academic forum at the heart of the Sidgwick Site
The restored building will offer transformed learning and working environments, creating a collaborative forum for the University’s Sidgwick Site. The ground and first floors will be open and permeable with offices and new postgraduate and research environments for the Faculty of History on the upper floors. It creates better connected, more welcoming, high-quality spaces, that enhance staff and student wellbeing and encourage collaboration and connection whilst also reducing environmental impact and enhancing space efficiency and utilisation exemplifying the vision and principles of the University’s Strategic Estate Framework.
Lucy Delap, Chair of the University’s Faculty of History said, “For those who know the Stirling building, its iconic design and character are unforgettable. But despite its bold architectural identity, the building is no longer fit for purpose. It lacks the inclusive, collaborative, flexible, and sustainable spaces needed for the calibre of teaching and research that define our University today.”
Dr Jessica Gardner, University Librarian and Chair of the Stirling Project board said, “The sensitive renewal of the building that this project delivers will ensure that it remains not only a landmark of design, but a vibrant, accessible and sustainable home for world‑leading scholarship and learning for the next century.”
Visual showing the inside of the North Pavilion
Safeguarding a landmark for the next century
The building is approaching its sixth decade, and urgent renewal is essential to address the longstanding building maintenance, repair and upkeep issues that have dogged the building since it opened. The project will restore and revitalise the Stirling Building as a flagship academic space, remaining true to Stirling’s original design intent while significantly improving accessibility, safety, environmental performance and day‑to‑day usability.
The refurbishment will:
- Deliver around 5,200 m² of refurbished and new space made up of 4,700 m² of refurbished accommodation and 428 m² of new extensions.
- Introduce two new pavilions that respect the building’s architectural language while supporting enhanced accessibility and providing new reading spaces.
- Address long‑standing issues of thermal comfort and building performance through new steelwork, double‑glazed curtain walling with integrated solar shading, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
- Achieve dramatically improved accessibility, including step‑free access to all floors and terraces.
- Replace gas boilers with zero‑gas heating and cooling systems powered by high‑efficiency air‑source heat pumps, with the capacity to support neighbouring buildings.
- Create teaching spaces designed to foster interdisciplinarity, collaboration and inclusive learning across the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Notes to Editors
- The Stirling Building was completed in 1968 and is Grade II* listed. It forms part of Stirling’s ‘Red Trilogy’ alongside the University of Leicester Engineering Building and the Florey Building at Queen’s College, Oxford.
- The refurbishment supports the University of Cambridge’s environmental sustainability goals, including reduced carbon emissions, improved thermal performance and zero‑gas systems.
The start of refurbishment coincides with the 30th anniversary year of the RIBA Stirling Prize, named in honour of the building’s architect. A major retrospective of Stirling’s work will open later this year at RIBA North in Liverpool, underscoring the national and international significance of the project.
Project partners
A Project Charter has been developed which sets out the shared goals, challenges, success measures, and expected behaviours for all involved.
- Main contractor: SDC Builders
- Architect including architecture, landscape, sustainability and mechanical, electrical and plumbing: BDP
- Heritage, façade and structures: Arup (reporting to BDP)
- Project management, cost management and co-ordination: AECOM
- Delivery Design Team: RHP Architects, Smith and Wallwork Structural Engineers, KJ Tait Building Services and Sustainability Engineers, FMDC Facade Engineers, and Heyda Acoustics.