Kings College Chapel Roof

Highly commended – Kings College Chapel Roof

In this category there was one highly commended and one winning scheme.

Team

Kings College Cambridge (Client/PM)

Caroe Architects (Architects)

Max Fordham LLP (MEP Design)

JM Structures (Structural Engineering)

Atkins Realis (Quantity Surveyors)

Barnes Construction (Main Contractor)

Rise Scaffolding (Scaffolding Design and Installation)

Norfolk Sheet Lead (UK) Ltd (Lead workers)

RG Carpentry (Carpentry)

Hibbit & Sons (Stonework)

Munro Building Services (MEP Install and PV Array)

Judges comments

“Putting solar panels on historic roofs is controversial, and this particular roof is one of the most iconic in the country.  However – and largely due to the members of Cambridge City Council, who overrode a recommended refusal, and many objections – solar panels WERE put on King’s Chapel Roof, and what a stunning project it is.  

It was particularly complex because the Chapel needed to continue to operate throughout, and an ingenious scaffolding scheme (which won a separate award) was put in place to bring materials up to and along the roof.   The new solar panels were placed on top of new lead, and are totally removable without damaging the historic roof, if ever needed; equally they can be replaced as technologies evolve.  It is an exquisite and hugely impressive project.”