What next for the University Centre – Cambridge’s famous ‘Grad Pad’?
The University of Cambridge is carrying out a feasibility study to decide on the future of the University Centre, a 1960s brutalist building on the banks of the River Cam.
Fondly known as the ‘Grad Pad’, it was built in 1967 to provide recreational, social, and dining facilities for people in the university community who did not have access to college amenities.
Now the study has been commissioned to assess how best to upgrade the University Centre and guarantee its future. The first stage is to look at the potential uses for a refurbished building.
Currently in need of vital upgrades to ensure safety, security, accessibility and sustainability, the building benefits from a prime city centre location. Parts of the building are under-utilised but, according to the university: “There is a great opportunity to reimagine the use of the building and create an asset in the heart of the city which all members of the university community can enjoy.”
It is located at Granta Place, a much-visited tourist destination, situated at one end of the river route, next door to the popular pub, The Mill, overlooking Laundress Green
The University Centre was funded by the Wolfson Foundation board and served members of the Regent House, university officers, college fellows and postgraduate registered students.
When it opened in 1967, it housed a large central dining hall, small formal dining rooms, several common rooms, a roof terrace and a ground floor bar. A large central kitchen and servery supported on-site catering. Recreational facilities included billiards and table tennis.
Over the coming decades, it served as a focus for the social life of the university, as distinct from its colleges. And beyond the daily functions of dining, meeting and socialising, it hosted a wide range of events, from boxing matches to breastfeeding groups, discotheques to exams and everything in between.
When the West Hub was opened, the central catering kitchen was relocated there and the University Centre restaurant, servery and cafe were closed.
The building was closed for refurbishment during the pandemic but has since reopened. It provides overflow teaching and exam spaces, a home for the Students’ Union, clubs and societies, the University Messenger Service, and the organisation newcomers and visiting scholars, who host frequent social and learning events throughout the year. However, the principal use of the building as a social and dining hub has been discontinued and some of these spaces are now vacant or underutilised.
There are four options being suggested on how the building could be best used.
1. A multipurpose hub: A dynamic communal place for working, learning, dining and connecting with friends, colleagues and industry partners.
2. Teaching hub: A dedicated centre for teaching, seminars, lectures, exams and study that addresses the shortfall of centrally located, high quality teaching spaces.
3. Mixed workplace: A workplace shared between university staff and entrepreneurs to promote local innovation and generate income for the University.
4. Commercial use: A facility for one or more commercial tenants which would generate income for the university with reduced capital outlay and maintenance. It could be an office, laboratory, hotel or for education or arts.
To give your view, complete this survey: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_28Zmh3DGhhWOl3o
Following an initial drop-in and Teams webinar, there will be another opportunity to view the options and speak with representatives of the appointed design team and the estates division on Tuesday, 27 February from 10am-4pm. Drop in to the University Centre, in the main hall on level 2.