Octagonal rooms. That’s what makes St Chad’s in Cambridge unique.
St Chad’s isn’t just any building. It’s student accommodation belonging to St Catharine’s College. Built in the 1970s near the University Library it offers a distinctive living experience for second-year students. The unusual octagonal shape of the rooms is a clever nod to the Catharine wheel on the college crest. Imagine studying in a space that echoes the college’s history.
But St Chad’s story goes beyond its modern design. Long before the current building stood a house at the same Grange Road location. This house played a significant role during World War I. It served as a Red Cross hospital for wounded soldiers. A young woman named Helen Green was in charge of massage therapy. She trained other Cambridge women as assistants. These women provided much-needed care to the recovering soldiers. This was just a small part of the war effort in Cambridge. St Chad’s played its part in healing.
Later in the 1940s the building was converted into student residences. This quietly marked the beginning of its life as student accommodation. The original structure however predates even the World War I use. Records show a building dating back to around 1880. This building was possibly designed by Basil Champneys. The building itself was constructed of red brick laid in English bond. It featured a machine tile roof a principal facade to the south and two stories plus a dormer attic. The structure has undergone extensive changes over the years. It continues to serve as a home for students.
Today St Chad’s represents both a modern facility and a piece of Cambridge’s history. A quiet location blending past and present. It is a vibrant testament to the city’s layered history. The architectural evolution and its unique role in wartime and student life. St Chad’s a captivating building with an intriguing story to tell. A story echoing within its octagonal walls. A story waiting to be discovered.