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 comprehensive refurbishment is required to provide a comfortable environment and safeguard the building for future generations. The refurbishment is likely to take 3-4 years to complete.
A planning application (25/00638/FUL) and listed building consent (25/00639/LBC) has been submitted to Cambridge City Council. These can be accessed from the Greater Cambridge Planning website
The application sets out proposals to safeguard one of the most important buildings of the 20th Century to ensure its future legacy. It aims to provide a building that will meet the 21st Century needs of the University, the Faculty of History and the Seeley Library.
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 is being vacated to allow internal surveys to be undertaken from Easter Term 2025 before the full building project starts.
The Seeley Library, and its collections, moved out of the Stirling building in December 2025 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) is being installed next to Sidgwick Lodge, behind the Austin Robinson building to provide a physical hub for the Faculty of History’s administration and student support from late April/mid-May 2025 until work on the Stirling Building is complete.
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 have been removed from the site until next term and relocated elsewhere on the main site. When works on the temporary building are completed in April, these will be relocated 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 History Faculty 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
Site occupants and neighbours will be notified in advance of any noisy works scheduled during term time.