Morgan Sindall begins construction of Passivhaus student accommodation at Queens’ College
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridge business has commenced the construction of four new student accommodation terraces at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge.
The project, known as Owlstone Croft, will deliver 13 high-quality homes built to Passivhaus standards. In addition to the new-build works, the project includes the refurbishment of Blocks A and B within the existing Queens’ College estate.
Stretching over 6,500 sq. m, the £34.4M project will create 60 new bedrooms in the Owlstone Croft development and 87 refurbished bedrooms in Blocks A and B. To cater to an array of student budgets, designs include a mix of single and double bedrooms and refurbishment works include a café extension, gym extension, cycle store, and study and seminar room in Blocks A and B for residents to enjoy.
As the site is situated beside Cambridge’s beloved Paradise Nature Reserve, Owlstone Croft’s design aims to blend into the natural elements of the area. To achieve this, Morgan Sindall will plant rain gardens and an assortment of plants and trees, embracing and enhancing the site’s biodiversity.
On track to complete in summer 2027, Owlstone Croft and Queens’ College restorative works will be constructed with a detailed masonry façade with reconstituted stone to maintain the site’s visual charm. Morgan Sindall will also use a CLT timber frame and mansard roof, creating full-height rooms under the roof while upholding the development’s elegant aesthetic appeal.
With each of Owlstone Croft’s four terraces designed to a Passivhaus standard, sustainability lies at the forefront of the project. In line with Morgan Sindall’s own green initiatives, the tier one contractor will install air source heat pumps and PV panels on the Owlstone Croft terraces and Queens’ College blocks A and B, in addition to crafting green roofs on top of the buildings.
John Stedman, Project Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridge, said:
It’s an absolute pleasure to start works on the Owlstone Croft terraces and the refurbishment of Blocks A and B in collaboration with Queens’ College. Students deserve a place where they can study and unwind, and we’re so proud that our development plans will support a more fulfilling living experience for them.
With these high-quality developments that remain in keeping with Queens’ Colleges historic feel, we will create a comfortable and inviting space that students can truly consider home throughout their academic journey.”
Andrew Bainbridge, Domestic Bursar at Queens' College, said:
Queens’ College is delighted to see construction begin at Owlstone Croft. This is an important project for the College, and it is exciting to see the plans now becoming a reality. The development will provide high-quality accommodation for our community while also reflecting the College’s commitment to sustainability. Through the landscape-led design, the scheme places a strong emphasis on biodiversity, green space, and environmental stewardship, helping to support the College’s wider decarbonisation ambitions. We are particularly pleased that the project will not only enhance our estate but also deliver long-term environmental benefits for both the College and the surrounding area.”
ENDS