Clare College is the second oldest of Cambridge’s thirty-one colleges (its foundation having been anticipated, among surviving institutions, only by Peterhouse). It was founded in 1326, and generously endowed a few years later by Lady Elizabeth de Clare (Lady de Burgh), a granddaughter of King Edward I (1272-1307).  Although it was in the first instance referred to unspecifically as ‘the House of the University of Cambridge’, it became known as Clare Hall as early as 1339 (the present simplified title, ‘Clare’, dates from 1856).

The Fire Surgery were appointed by Clare College through Gardner and Theobald to assist Witherford Watson Mann architects in the refurbishment project at Old Court along with the design of the New North Passage. Old Court is undergoing some major refurbishment works. Old Court is Grade I listed and, as would be expected, posed some challenges from a fire safety perspective.

The fire strategy considered the practical remedial works that could be undertaken to limit the risk of a fire at Old Court on the occupants, the building and the special collections.

A key part of the fire strategy was demonstrating acceptable means of escape through a single stair fire strategy for each residential block. The stairs were separated with a number of different heritage fire doors and an assessment was made of each door to determine what upgrades, if any were necessary.

Access and facilities for the fire service is particularly poor along Trinity Lane. We met with the Fire Brigade on site and arranged for fire vehicles to attend and test access to review options for fire fighting and agreed a strategy with minimal intrusions on the existing building.

Client: Clare College

Architect: Witherford Watson Mann Architects

Project Value: £40m