The Origins and History of Fitzwilliam College
Fitzwilliam College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. Its origins date back to 1869, when it was established as the Non-Collegiate Students Board. This venture was created to provide academically excellent students from all backgrounds the opportunity to study at the university. At its inception, the institution was based at Fitzwilliam House, located opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum in south-west Cambridge.
The institution attained full collegiate status in 1966. Since then, the college has grown to accommodate a diverse academic community. It is currently home to approximately 500 undergraduates, 400 graduate students, and 90 fellows. The college maintains a tradition of accessibility, supporting students through various grants and admissions processes to ensure a wide range of perspectives within the university structure.
The Architecture and Buildings of the College
Situated in the north of Cambridge between Huntingdon Road and Storeys Way, the college buildings represent a reinterpretation of the traditional Cambridge college. The site's architectural evolution is marked by several distinct phases of development. The Central Hall Building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun as part of a 1960s masterplan. This structure is characterized by a flamboyant, gravity-defying glass lantern that serves as a central social hub for the college community.
The architectural landscape continued to develop through the late twentieth century. In the 1980s, architects MacCormac, Jamieson and Prichard (MJP) created New Court, which features a distinctive stepped design where each floor presents a different appearance both inside and out. Following this, the college commissioned Richard MacCormac to design the Chapel, which was completed in the early 1990s. This building was imagined as a ship at the heart of the college, with windows that look out onto the natural world.
Recent years have seen continued improvements to the college estate. The current buildings reflect an optimistic, forward-looking approach to academic and social life, moving away from older institutional models to create a more democratic space for its members. The integration of these various styles—from post-war modernism to the contemporary designs of the 1990s—defines the physical character of the institution.
