Marking one of the most ambitious expansions in its 675-year history, Pembroke College’s Mill Lane Development has transformed a historically rich but underused part of the city into a vibrant extension of the College’s academic and residential community, creating new spaces for learning, living and social connection in line with the College’s ambition to expand and unify its estate. Across two phases, the scheme reimagined former university buildings, including the conversion of a church into a 150-seat auditorium, new graduate accommodation, social spaces and landscaped courts, blending heritage restoration with contemporary design to meet the evolving needs of the College. The scheme also improves accessibility across the site, with lifts and landscaped routes designed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all users.
The first phase of the development focused on the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, including the transformation of the former Emmanuel United Reformed Church building (1874) into a 150-seat auditorium, now the centrepiece of the development. A new gatehouse and foyer provide a welcoming arrival point, while Milstein House – formerly Stuart House (1926) – has been reinvented as a social hub for the college community. 4 Mill Lane (1886 and 1893) was reconfigured to deliver flexible teaching and meeting spaces, and external works introduced a new pedestrian crossing, landscaped forecourt, and Chiu Court featuring a public art installation inspired by the college archives.
The second phase centred on the creation of The Ray and Dagmar Dolby Court, a residential court providing 88 graduate student rooms, five fellow sets, a gym, laundry facilities, and commercial units. The courtyard garden and improved landscaping connect the development to the University Centre, supported by a new 2MVA substation to future-proof the college’s energy needs. The total construction value of this phase was £30m. Designed and delivered to BREEAM Excellent standard, the development reflects the college’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. As a fully fossil-fuel-free site powered by air source heat pumps and solar PV, the project sets new environmental standards among Cambridge colleges. High-performance glazing, robust airtightness, material reuse, and passive environmental strategies further reduce operational energy demand, while a borehole system supports irrigation and lowers water use.
The project team overcame numerous technical challenges, including the rerouting of the Granta Backbone Network, mitigating flood risk near the River Cam, and navigating the site’s archaeological sensitivity due to its proximity to the historic King’s Ditch. Ecological measures supported local peregrine falcons, while construction logistics were carefully managed to minimise disruption to neighbouring properties along Little St Mary’s Lane.
Delivered through a collaborative and carefully managed process, the project has created a distinctive new quarter for Pembroke College, and one that celebrates its heritage while providing cutting-edge facilities for future generations. The Mill Lane Development stands as a benchmark for sustainable design and adaptive reuse within Cambridge’s historic core.
The completed scheme has already received several industry awards which include:
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