The Dorothy Garrod Building at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, is a contemporary addition to a historic academic setting. Completed in 2018 and designed by Walters and Cohen, the building forms part of a wider campus defined by heritage architecture, landscaped gardens, and a strong institutional identity.
For the university café, the 675 Chair, originally designed by Robin Day in 1952, was selected for its proven performance in high-use hospitality and educational environments. The chair’s rational form, comfort and durability make it particularly well suited to a busy communal setting, where longevity, ease of maintenance and user comfort are essential.
Ab Rogers Design was appointed following an international competition to deliver the interior scheme, with responsibility for furniture, fixtures, finishes, lighting and artwork across student bedrooms, study halls, offices, meeting rooms, conference spaces and communal areas. The brief required interiors that were robust and adaptable for daily academic use, while remaining sensitive to Newnham’s history and collections.
Furniture selection played a key role in balancing these requirements. A mix of modernist and contemporary designs was specified to complement the building’s clean architectural lines while introducing warmth, colour and tactility.
Specified in the traditional Mourne check fabric, the 675 Chair allowed the design team to align seating with the wider interior palette, ensuring visual consistency across the building while meeting the project’s technical and aesthetic requirements.
The result is a welcoming café environment that feels contemporary yet grounded, supporting informal gathering and social interaction within the academic setting. The 675 Chair sits naturally within the scheme, reinforcing a cohesive interior language across the Dorothy Garrod Building while delivering long-term functional performance.
