Quayside, Cambridge, southeast England

Quayside, Cambridge - NRAP picture : Dennis Gilbert/View Quayside, Cambridge: Magdalene College invited proposals from a shortlist of architects, after which we were appointed on the basis of design quality and commercial feasibility. The site is a prominent and important one on the south bank of the river Cam, opposite Magdalene College, and the building creates the only urban riverside open space accessible to the citzens of Cambridge.The scheme involves riverside shops and restaurants based around two courtyards, with underground car-parking for 89 cars. Upper floors have offices, and research and development spaces. The existing houses owned by the College on Thompsons Lane have been refurbished as part of a second phase.The main office foyers have glazed lift shafts within a four-storey void where the stair landings and passages have been designed to encourage conversation and interaction between various office users.More recently we were invited to refurbish and link three of the ground floor units for a new Japanese restaurant. Quayside Cambridge photo / information from NRAP 050309