We were delighted to celebrate a fantastic milestone for our capital redevelopment project at the Greater Cambridge Design & Construction Awards 2026.
Phase One of our transformation project was recognised with two major awards: Best Conservation, Alteration or Extension of an Existing Building (over £3m), designed by Ian Chalk Architects, and the Craftsmanship Award, collected by Neil Burke Joinery and Cocksedge Building Contractors, with Cocksedge also receiving a special commendation.
Hosted by Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry (CFCI), the awards celebrate excellence in design and construction across Cambridge, and honour the remarkable individuals and teams dedicated to innovative design and construction practices.
Of the project, the judges said:
“The 90-year-old Arts Theatre is one of Cambridge’s best known public buildings, and we were astonished that its comprehensive refurbishment was carried out with minimal impact or disturbance (not even skips!) to its neighbours. The new, elegant, maple-clad auditorium is perhaps the most visible change, but we also saw the vastly improved under- and behind-stage areas, the new entrance from Peas Hill, and the complete renewal of electrical and stage services, making productions and changeovers vastly more efficient… This project is the hugely successful foundation for phase 2, which is the addition of a second ‘studio’ theatre which we all look forward to enjoying in future. Congratulations!”
This recognition is a testament to the ambition and dedication of everyone involved in reimagining The Arts Theatre.
Victoria Beechey, the Theatre’s Executive Director and joint co-CEO said:
“We are incredibly proud to see the project acknowledged in this way, it reflects the skill, care and collaboration that has gone into every aspect of the transformation, and we are grateful to the whole team who helped bring it to life.”
Harper Tackley | Savills | Stuart A Johnson Consultancy | Ian Chalk Architects | Buro Happold | AECOM | Charcoalblue | Sweco | Cocksedge Building Contractors | Neil Burke Joinery | Push The Button | Kirwin & Simpson
Read more about the project here.
