James Cubitt & Partners were commissioned by St. Catharine’s college in the 1970’s to design residential accommodation in the grounds of St. Chad’s, a prominent Victorian villa. James Cubitt & Partners’ respect for the villa and the mature and important specimen trees around the villa dictated the plan form and design character of the proposed development. The grounds of a listed house owned by the college were chosen as the site for an additional 130 student bedrooms and eating facilities located on the outskirts of Cambridge.

The Development, completed to date in three phases, comprises a chain of octagonal towers each containing a study bedroom with communal kitchen and welfare facilities. Additional of further rooms on the roof proposed as extensions.