After almost 60 years of continuous use, the Grade II* listed History Faculty building, designed by James Stirling, is showing significant signs of wear. A refurbishment is required to safeguard the building for future generations and meet the 21st Century needs of the University, the Faculty of History and the Seeley Library.
Planning permission and listed building consent, for the proposals to safeguard one of the most important buildings of the 20th Century to ensure its future legacy, has been granted.
Work is now underway to complete the detailed, fully costed proposals to safeguard the building, which will be subject to University approvals and scrutiny over the coming months.
View the public consultation presentation boards
Find out more about the building and its history on the Faculty of History website.
Getting ready for the work
The Stirling Building has been vacated to allow internal surveys and enabling works to be undertaken before the full building project starts.
The Seeley Library, and its collections, moved out of the Stirling building in December 2024 and is now open in a dedicated and newly designed space within the University Library until work on the Stirling Building is complete.
A modular temporary two-storey building (325sqm) next to Sidgwick Lodge, behind the Austin Robinson building provides a physical hub for the Faculty of History’s administration and student support. To ensure a high-quality student and staff experience during the refurbishment, a number of sites have been identified close to the Stirling Building to provide seminar, study and work space for the History Faculty staff and students.
Changes to access
Access to the rear of the Buttery and Economics is restricted. The gate behind the Austin Robinson building is shut and the six parking bays are closed. There is no through route for vehicles to the West Road end. This has closed off the pedestrian and cycle route along the rear of the Austin Robinson building, meaning the only access past the temporary building is for the deliveries to the Austin Robinson building. The fire exit routes from the Buttery and Economics are accessible for emergency use at all times, the route for Austin Robinson building has moved to the Stirling building side of the gate. Access to the bike sheds and pedestrian access for deliveries to the Buttery is maintained.
Site bins have been relocated next to the Buttery gate and remain accessible from within the site. The wood skips are also next to the bins in this area. Lamp coffins (for disposal of used fluorescent lighting) are located next to the bins by the Buttery gate.
These changes are expected to remain in place for the duration of the project until the building reopens. Signage has been installed along the affected routes to advise site users and show alternatives, including the cross-site pedestrian and cycling route behind the POLIS and Law buildings.
The plan below shows some of the changes.
Stay informed
If you have any queries or questions or would like to be kept informed about this project please email Stirling.Project@admin.cam.ac.uk
The planning application and listed building consent (25/00638/FUL and 25/00639/LBC) can be accessed from the Greater Cambridge Planning website
Site occupants and neighbours will be notified in advance of any noisy works scheduled during term time.