Gonvilee & Caius College, Cambridge: Student accommodation upgraded with new steel windows

First founded in 1348, Gonvilleand Caius is the fourth oldest college at the University of Cambridge. The college is renowned in the academic world for educational achievement and has been attended by many students who have gone on to significant accomplishments, including twelve Nobel Prize winners.

St Michael's Court building was completed in the 1930s, and overlooks the Market Place in central Cambridge. It is a Grade II Listed Building, situated within the Cambridge Conservation Area.

The brief from Stephen Drury of Bidwells was to provide replicas of original fenestration whilst delivering modern performance. Features specified included double glazing and polyester powder paint (so as to reduce heating and maintenance costs respectively, and to achieve increased security). Another very important feature was to ensure the new windows included opening restrictors (unlike the originals) for increased student safety!

Clement’s EB24 windows with single point locking were specified as the best match for the eighty year old windows that were to be replaced. Restrictors were fitted to all relevant windows, as safety for the student accommodation was paramount. Clement worked with the college to ensure all the windows were replaced during the summer holidays to ensure minimal disruption to college life.