Cambridge Judge Business School will throw open its doors to the public on Friday 12 September as part of Open Cambridge 2014.
Three 30-minute guided tours of the fascinating interior of the School will run at 14:00-14:30, 15:00-15:30 and 16:00-16:30, giving visitors the chance to experience the striking design with its floating staircases, balconies, roof garden and extensive views from the top floors. The School has long been an iconic building at the heart of Cambridge, formerly the site of Addenbrooke’s Hospital from 1766 until the hospital moved to its new site between 1961 and 1984. The building remained empty for eight years before becoming the home of the School, then the Judge Institute of Management Studies, thanks to benefactions from Sir Paul and Lady Judge and the Monument Trust. Architect John Outram was appointed to carry out renovation of the building, converting the listed ward blocks and arcades and rebuilding the central block into what is now the Business Information Centre, Common Room, seminar rooms, teaching rooms, balconies, break-out boxes, meeting rooms and the main hall. Outram also added three new areas:
- The Ark, containing rooms for faculty, research graduates, and administrative staff
- The Castle, containing two key lecture theatres and MBA teaching spaces
- The Gallery, an 80 feet (24.5m) high space containing seminar rooms, multi-level circulation routes, the social stair, and part of the hall
With the floating staircases and balconies in the Gallery, arranged rather like opera boxes, Outram’s vision of a space for interaction and collaboration can be seen at its best. The idea for incorporating large break-out areas originally came from Sir Paul Judge, who wanted the interior of the School to stimulate a networking environment. The balconies provide room for collaboration and encourage both students and faculty to bring workgroups and seminars out into the open, and to share ideas and concepts.
The revamped building opened to its first students in 1995 and won the 1998 David Urwin Award for Best Building of the Decade.
Open Cambridge offers glimpses into buildings and spaces normally hidden from everyday view. The three-day programme (12-14 September) of more than 90 events includes opportunities to visit the Fire Station, the spectacular Wren Library at Trinity College, the Real Tennis courts, and even see inside the workings of the Chronophage clock at Corpus Christi. Booking for all events opens today – Monday 18 August.
The Cambridge Judge tours are strictly restricted to 20 per tour, allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Tours will involve walking up and down short flights of stairs (a lift is available).