Clare College building milestone marked with topping out

A major construction milestone has been reached in the restoration and extension of Old Court to include the River Room café at Clare College, Cambridge.

Representatives from the college, construction team and project partners came together to celebrate the ‘topping out’.

And to mark the occasion, Clare College bursar Elizabeth Conder, senior tutor Dr Jacqueline Tasioulas, fellow for development Dr Toby Wilkinson, and estates director Deborah Hoy joined joint managing director of Barnes Construction, Mark Hart, to help lay the first piece of sedum on the roof of the River Room.

The project team includes Barnes Construction as the main contractor, architects Witherford Watson Mann, and Cambridge-based businesses Smith and Wallwork, Henry Riley and Max Fordham.

Mark Hart said: “The work is particularly sensitive because of its historic significance and the construction team have all been working really hard to keep everything on track, so this event was a great opportunity to thank them.

“Work will now continue in earnest on completing the installation and commissioning of the new industrial kitchen, installing the lifts, and completing the oak panelling and slated timber ceiling finishes.”

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Deborah Hoy added: “The Old Court project is a transformational project for the college, ensuring that the grade I-listed building is equipped to meet the needs of a 21st century education.

“The River Room café will be a fabulous space for students, fellows and staff to work and socialise, whilst the reorganisation of the North Range circulation spaces of Old Court will make Clare’s formal rooms fully accessible for the first time.”