The College By Architect Ralph Erskine, A True Modernist

Clare Hall is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1966 by Clare College, a college for advanced study, admitting only postgraduate students alongside postdoctoral researchers and fellows. It was established to serve as an Institute of Advanced Studies and has slowly grown and developed into a full constituent college.

Clare Hall is one of the smallest colleges with 200 graduate students, but also 125 fellows, making it the highest fellow to student ratio at Cambridge University.

The architect Ralph Erskine was appointed in the mid ’60s to design the buildings for Clare Hall which include common rooms, offices, dining facilities, a house for the President and 20 apartments for visiting fellows, all completed in 1969. Whilst the buildings where finished by the architect, the interior for the college was never completed but left to its own device.

Magnus Englund and I where given the task to find an interior language for the main entrance, common room and bar area, confirming the identity they always deserved, mirroring the time and architecture of the building. More work will follow once funding has been secured.

The entrance now holds a large black and white photograph by Ulla Montan, printed on plywood to accompany the modernist character of the building. It is showing the architect at his desk, working on the college design. It’s a fitting contribution to its originator, welcoming visitors, emphasising the spirit and identity the college represents. Visitors have a chance to get a good glimpse of the man who created this special building. It is functional with some dominant features such as wooden ceilings with exposed beams and wooden pillars holding the structure, giving the space a slight nautical connotation. One gets a sense of being on a ship, fit for sailing the vast ocean of knowledge. The areas are not large, divided in different sections on various levels, giving each part a personal touch, making it less of a stereotype institution but more of a characterful, intimate meeting place, saying: “welcome home”. It is a simple building with a warm feeling that stays in your memory, just the way a building should do.

The entrance received a striped floor by Bolon to make it stand out, be different, a bit punchy but still appropriate for the time and character of the architecture, complimenting the amber coloured wood. The stripes add liveliness, welcoming the visitor in a generous way and for the seating area a monochrome version of the same floor was chosen.

The stairway railing got their original black rods and wooden handrail back which works well with the stripes down to the lower ground floor.

Existing Aalto benches as shown along the entrance wall where reused, perfectly fitting for the setting but in need of some love and care. We added a bit more comfort and interest by choosing a coloured seating topper, making them more joyful, emphasising their best virtue as easy, integrated user-friendly furniture, looking uncomplicated but welcoming along the entrance corridor.

Originally we where set to use strong colours for the walls but settled for a light, neutral shade, suitable to balance the diverse space, befitting the character of the building. Instead, colourful furniture was chosen to add playfulness and an upbeat flair.

The space is divided in various areas, the wall colour had to unite all parts, only interrupted by a deep blue feature wall, adding some pasaz and contrast. To find a suitable wall colour for all communal areas was tricky. We finally opted for a light version of a soft blue-green-grey shade, able to unite the deep amber coloured wooden elements without breaking the flow.

The dark blue feature wall facing when coming up the stairs to the seating area had to stand out and be a good background for any artwork. The low back Primo armchairs by Ynge Ekström against the blue wall are comfortable and easy to move should the space require a different layout for a variety of occasions.

The Accent sofa designed 1959 with armchairs and high back Primo chair, all by Ynge Ekström for manufacturer Swedese where just perfect for the common area. These pieces, we imagined, would possibly have been chosen by the architect at the time the college was completed, fitting to accompany the architectural language. The furniture had to be sturdy and cost-effective yet of good quality, and in style to reflect the period of the building.

The ambition was to give the meeting area character and an upbeat vibe by adding bold colours which was further emphasised by the choice of the curtain fabric Aralia, a strong print design by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn. The fabric was voted for by the college committee, with the argument it has an uplifting, playful impact on the space, adding unconventional flair while still fitting to suit the building.

For the meeting space we selected solid round oak tables by architect Jonas Lindvall for Stolab, accompanied by the Arne Jacobsen's classic Grand Prix chair. All to cater for timeless simplicity, relevant and lasting for years to come. The pieces are easy to move in the space, facilitating different requirements.

For the bar we used seat cushions in the same fabric as for the sofa/armchairs in the common room and above the bar the ‘Golden Bell’ by Alvar Aalto, adding a glimpse of understated glamour, to inspire people to come together for a drink or two and a good chat.

It often requires a few strategic changes only for a space to blossom in an enticing new way, bringing meaning and life back, inspiring the visitor. After all, the space we use should be upbeat and supportive, supporting the best in the user. The straight forward refurbishment of the college is a good example of how effortless it can be achieved.

We hope it all would have been approved by Maestro Erskine who never came to finish the interiors of the building to match his architectural vision. Viva Clare Hall, we loved being with you!

The college celebrated it’s 50 year anniversary in 2016. Welcome to step into this building that made history just as much as all the other historical buildings each represent their time in Cambridge.

https://www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk/50th-anniversary-ralph-erskine-exhibition