Cambridge becoming Passivhaus student digs hotspot

Lucy Cavendish College adds to a growing number of developments underway in Cambridge, fast becoming a hotspot for Passivhaus student accommodation. Preparatory work is due to start at the end of January (2021) on the new development, providing much-needed facilities for the growing College community.

Lucy Cavendish College: View from Marshall House to Library lawn

The College is at the forefront of Cambridge University’s strategy for significantly increasing diversity. Aiming for Passivhaus, the new building will house both undergraduate and postgraduate students and facilitate integration across an increasingly diverse student body, fostering an engaged, inclusive, and welcoming community.

The library at Lucy Cavendish College LUCY WEB EDITOR / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The proposal includes:

72 en-suite study-bedrooms
Ground floor café/bar
Landscaping & new courtyard

The bedrooms will be clustered in different combinations encouraging social interaction and providing for self-catering purposes. 4 bedrooms will be fully accessible, of which two will have carer accommodation alongside. The ground floor will act as a hub of informal learning spaces and contain a large café/bar.

Lucy Cavendish College: Typical Student Bedroom

The proposed designs include Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for the primary structure and low embodied carbon cement replacements in the concrete elements, reduce the embodied carbon within the building. In line with the University’s commitments to fully divest from all fossil fuels by 2030, air source heat pumps (ASHP) will provide space heating and hot water.

Key Stats

No. Units: 72
Build start date: Feb 2021
Completion due: Sept 2022
Construction: Timber

Wellbeing has been an important design principle. Thermal comfort and air quality is optimised by the Passivhaus design, and all bedrooms will have a garden view. Landscaping will include an integrated sustainable drainage strategy, outdoor spaces including those suitable for events and performances, and an intimate new courtyard for quiet relaxation or individual study.

Lucy Cavendish College. View from Strathaird Lawn

All preliminary design steps for this building, to Passivhaus standards, have been completed successfully, following positive engagement with the Planning Authority. Planning consent was achieved on December 10th 2020. Preparatory work will start towards the end of January. Although demolition will begin on 22 February, there will be a pause in construction to allow for focused study and exam revision between 16 April and 20 June. Building work will start on 21 June and facilities are expected to be complete by the start of the October term 2022.