Sixties Renaissance
Join us for a one-day symposium to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the College building designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon.
Credit: John Maltby/RIBA Collections
In 2026, Murray Edwards College celebrates the 60th anniversary of its unique modernist home, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon; the Barbican’s beautiful Cambridge cousin.
To mark this special milestone, we will be hosting a one-day symposium on Thursday, 17 September 2026. This event will bring together architects, historians, conservation specialists, alumnae, and members of the College community.
Organised in partnership with the 20th Century Society, the symposium will feature keynote lectures by Professor Christina Strunck (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg) and Dr Otto Saumarez-Smith (University of Warwick). The programme will also include panel discussions led by Catherine Croft (Director of the 20th Century Society) and Dr Cindy Walters (Director of Walters & Cohen Architects).
In addition to the academic programme, the day will be accompanied by a short film, an exhibition, guided tours of the College, and reflections from alumnae on their experience of living in this remarkable building.
The symposium will begin at 10:45am, with lunch served at 1:15pm. The day will conclude with a drinks reception in the iconic Dome dining hall. Prices include refreshments, lunch and reception.
| 10.45 | Registration & Coffee |
| 11.05 | Welcome from Dr Rachel Polonsky Acting President |
| 11.15 | 'Building for five hundred years ahead, or in human terms, for fifty thousand New Hall undergraduates': Chamberlin, Powell & Bon at Murray Edwards; Dr Otto Saumarez Smith University of Warwick |
| 12.15 | Public perceptions of postwar architecture - from concrete carbuncles to treasured icons; panel discussion chaired by Catherine Croft Director of the Twentieth Century Society - Dr Barnabas Calder University of Liverpool - John Grindrod Author of Concretopia, Outskirts, Iconicon and Tales of the Suburbs - Dr Ewan Harrison University of Manchester |
| 13.15 | Lunch |
| 14.45 | Of Giants, Spies & Feminists: New Hall, Cambridge as Image-Space Ensemble (1954 to 1984); Professor Christina Strunck Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg |
| 15.45 | Building on the Manifesto; panel discussion chaired by Dr Cindy Walters Walters & Cohen - Rob Hopwood Bursar, Murray Edwards College - Stuart Johnson Chartered Building Surveyor and Project Manager - Calvin Kemp Head of Estates, Murray Edwards College - Brita von Schoenaich Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape Architects |
| 16.45 | Break |
| 17.15 | Film screening and panel discussion chaired by Dr Rachel Polonsky Acting President |
| 18.30 | Drinks in the Dome |