Porters’ Lodge, King’s College

The William Wilkins-designed Gatehouse and Screen Wall of the Lodge King’s College, Cambridge date from 1828 and are Grade I listed. Donald Insall Associates was commissioned by the Head Porter of the College to prepare a scheme to upgrade the Porter’s Lodge, including improved security and upgraded welfare facilities.

Works included the creation of a new entrance, which replaced an existing window, with new stonework installed to match the existing doorway while the existing door was refurbished.  Within the Lodge, we carried out a series of interventions, including the removal of an existing mezzanine floor, enabling us to raise a stepped ceiling to create an impressive space of the porters’ front counter and additional office space on the floor above. Other works included refitting the Lodge with bespoke oak joinery and a new stone floor, while the ground floor post room in the North Lodge was also refitted with new joinery including a special unit to provide a secure space for Fellows’ mail. As part of the project, services and welfare facilities throughout the building were also renewed and upgraded.

The series of works were carried out in a tight programme over the summer vacation in order to minimise disruption.