Wolfson Court gains planning permission for student living development

Image: courtesy of MICA Architects

MICA's redevelopment of Wolfson Court for St John's College, Cambridge has received planning approval, paving the way for a new generation of sustainable collegiate accommodation within the West Cambridge Conservation Area.

Following an invited design competition in 2024, MICA was appointed by St John's College to reimagine the Wolfson Court site, delivering more than 400 student bedrooms in a sustainable, accessible and contextually sensitive development designed to enhance student wellbeing and collegiate life.

MICA says:

'The accommodation is arranged across five buildings set within a richly landscaped campus, providing a variety of high-quality places to live, study and socialise. Flats of six to eight bedrooms share communal kitchens, complemented by a separate building containing one-bedroom apartments, together with shared facilities including social spaces and a lodge.

'The masterplan is structured around a new pedestrian route that better connects the site with its surroundings, creating a coherent and welcoming environment. Existing specimen trees are retained and integrated into a rich biodiverse landscape strategy that significantly increases planting, enhances outdoor amenity spaces and strengthens an important ecological corridor across West Cambridge. Sustainability is fundamental to the design.

'The proposals combine highly energy-efficient buildings with low embodied carbon principles, prioritising the reuse of existing materials alongside thoughtful material selection. The architectural approach responds sensitively to the character of the Conservation Area, drawing inspiration from the surrounding historic context while creating contemporary student accommodation that sets a benchmark for sustainable collegiate living, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment that supports student wellbeing, promotes biodiversity and delivers a lasting enhancement to the College estate and this part of West Cambridge.'

Stuart Cade, Director, MICA comments:

"Wolfson Court represents an exciting opportunity to place landscape, wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of student living. By creating a richly landscaped and connected campus environment, the design supports both collegiate life and individual wellbeing while delivering a significant enhancement to the College facilities.”

Image: courtesy of MICA Architects