Donald Insall Associates

"The best new building in Cambridge in recent years", so described by Stephen Hawking during the opening in April 2007 of the building named after him. Opened by the Duke of Edinburgh and built for Gonville & Caius College, it provides 75 new student rooms, eight fellows' sets, three teaching rooms and student recreation and conference facilities. The building is surrounded by internationally significant buildings and the site was previously occupied by an Edwardian villa, whose garden contained a number of specimen trees. These have been retained and used to create a sinuous building which acknowledges its historic context. The College identified sustainability as a key driver for the design.

Awards: LABC Best Housing/Residential Projects Award; RIBA East Region Spirit of Ingenuity Home Award

Client: The Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College Cambridge

• This project is part of the Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge project.