Date: 27th July 2017
Downing College is celebrating being given a Civic Trust Award for transforming a modest maintenance building into a new public space for exhibiting art – The Heong Gallery. The accolade has been given in recognition of the materials used which include: timber with natural oak for the windows, doors and furniture and painted boards for the ceiling and encaustic tiles for the floor which reflect their industrial origins. The intimate outdoor space is enclosed by a low wall made from reclaimed Cambridge Stock bricks and paved in Roman concrete which provides a foundation for the birch walls.
A single long roof light and windows connect the interiors to the East Lodge Garden and First Court, ensuring that the Gallery has good natural light, creating a space that is ideal for exhibiting art and comfortable for visitors. Admission to The Heong Gallery is free and has a changing programme of exhibitions, featuring a range of artists. In 2016, Downing College received a Gold Award for Green Tourism for the second time in recognition of its significant environmental achievements including creating sustainable buildings, using fresh seasonal ingredients from local suppliers and promoting a range of initiatives to raise awareness of energy consumption and recycling among students and staff.
