Pembroke College

FURNITURE CONSULTANCY / PROCUREMENT / PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DELIVERY / INSTALLATION

ARCHITECT: CHRIS BAGOT ARCHITECTS
LOCATION: LONDON
PROJECT COMPLETED: 2025

Spanning seminar rooms, collaboration spaces, the café and a central foyer connecting two historic buildings, the project required furniture that could support a variety of uses while remaining sympathetic to its architectural setting. In the foyer, Betty TK1 chairs from &Tradition were paired with Pedrali Inox tables, creating a flexible environment that can be easily reconfigured for informal study, meetings and social interaction. The same language of natural materials was carried through to the café, where robust furniture was required to support daily use while maintaining a warm and welcoming aesthetic.

Across the seminar and teaching spaces, Howe's 40/4 chair was specified with study tablet arms, allowing rooms to transition easily between seminars, conferences and summer school programmes. Its stacking capability and adaptability made it particularly well suited to the evolving needs of the college. The result is a collection of spaces that support learning, collaboration and community, balancing contemporary functionality with the character of one of Cambridge's oldest colleges.

A second phase of our work at Pembroke College focused on Dolby Court, providing furniture for 96 new student bedrooms and shared living spaces. The furniture package included AAC 51 task chairs from HAY, upholstered in Maharam Metaphor 008 Electricity, alongside AAL 82 Soft lounge chairs upholstered in Kvadrat Relate 881 Azure Blue. The specification was developed to support both study and relaxation, creating comfortable and durable environments for student living.

Particular attention was given to upholstery selection. Fabrics were required to meet Crib 5 fire regulations while containing no wool, responding to the building's previous experience of moth damage. Kvadrat Relate and Maharam Metaphor were ultimately selected, satisfying both technical and aesthetic requirements within a demanding programme. Shared kitchen and dining spaces were furnished with Gaber Artesia S chairs, providing a robust solution for everyday use while maintaining a consistent visual language throughout the accommodation. The completed scheme demonstrates how thoughtful furniture specification can support student wellbeing while meeting the practical demands of contemporary residential accommodation.

Photography: Fred Howarth