Pembroke’s Recently Renovated Porter’s Lodge Receives Oxford Preservation Trust Certificate

Last week, Pembroke College was delighted to receive an 'Oxford Preservation Trust Certificate' (the second highest award offered by the Trust) for its newly renovated Porter’s Lodge. ‘Ridge & Partners LLP’ were the architects behind this project, which was completed in September 2015, and the principal contractor was ‘Benfield & Loxley’. The modernised Lodge has proven to be a significant addition to the College, providing a warm and inviting foyer space. 

The Awards, now in their 39th year, recognise important contributions made by a diverse range of people and places to buildings scattered across Oxford. A significant number of Oxford colleges in the University of Oxford received awards this year for an array of projects. Alongside Pembroke, other recipients included: the building conservation work undertaken at Christ Church, Trinity and Magdalen, the new buildings at Wolfson and St Clare’s, and an environmental project at St Peter’s.

Pembroke previously received a plaque, the highest award offered by the Trust, in 2013 for an extensive new building project which expanded the facilities offered by the College. The most recent work on the Lodge marks the final completion of this ambitious project, and has likewise served to enhance everyday life at Pembroke. Steve Capper, the Head Porter at Pembroke remarked:

‘We achieved this award by working in collaboration, not only across the departments but also with the architects and builders. I was very pleased to be a constructive part of the process, the result being, not only a lodge which looks fantastic but also works practically very well.  The lodge is a professional and warm welcome for those visiting the college.’

Pembroke were delighted to receive the award on 1st November 2016 at a ceremony which took place in the Garden Quadrangle at St John’s College. The prize was received by Pembroke’s Home Bursar Mike Naworynsky, the project’s principal architect Matthew Richards (‘Ridge & Partners LLP’), Sara Murray, Managing Director of ‘Benfield & Loxley’ and Pembroke’s Head Porter, Steve Capper (as photographed left to right).