AC Architects Cambridge Ltd were appointed by Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge to design the refurbishment of their Aston Webb building, named after its famous Victorian Architect. Built in 1904, listed Grade II and admired by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner, the five storey, stone clad building wraps around the picturesque Rose Crescent in central Cambridge. A retail plinth of seven boutique shops sits above a basement with student sets and Fellows rooms occupying three upper floors. Six traditional college staircases provide access to the College accommodation.

AC Architects Cambridge Ltd carefully analysed the buildings significance and worked with the College and the Conservation Officer to achieve a sensitive modernisation scheme, relocating shower rooms from the basement to the upper floors, convenient for the residential accommodation, and remodelling the basement to create student kitchens with a continuous corridor connecting all six staircases.

Understanding the ingenuity of Sir Aston Webb, who ensured every student room was individually designed, has been critical in developing the agreed refurbishment strategy. Equally key has been working with the Mechanical and Electrical engineers, helping the College move from gas to electricity as the primary fuel with the target of substantially reducing their current energy consumption.