Ten Years Later: Reflecting on a Historic Vision Reimagined at King's College, Cambridge

This is a news release published on April 1, 2015, in The Telegraph, among others, as part of an April Fools' prank inspired by the one and only Sir Stephen Cleobury CBE, Chaplain of King's College, Cambridge University. Mark Miller FAIA and MKthink were and are proud to share this memory of good fun

The Renovated King's College, Cambridge Chapel

Ten years ago, on April 1st, 2015, MKThink joined hands with one of the world's most iconic academic institutions, King's College, Cambridge, to mark a monumental occasion: the 500th anniversary of its Chapel. Today, we celebrate a decade since this forward-thinking collaboration took root, fusing centuries of heritage with innovative design to carry the legacy of King's into the future.

The project, rooted in the original 1448 vision of King Henry VI, called for a delicate balance—honoring the historical gravitas of King's College while addressing modern needs and public engagement. MKThink was brought in to help envision a transformation that was both reverent and revolutionary. The result? A set of designs that reconnected the college to its founding ideals while delivering cutting-edge facilities to serve the next generation of students, scholars, and visitors.

At the heart of the redevelopment: a striking new glass-and-steel structure and a cloister inspired by Henry VI himself. These elements not only enhanced the campus's functionality but also reshaped the visitor experience, restoring visual harmony to the riverfront and renewing King's as a cultural and academic beacon.

Looking back, the success of this £180 million transformation is a testament to thoughtful collaboration, design rooted in story, and a shared commitment to place-based innovation. Today, the King's College community enjoys revitalized spaces that reflect both its historic prestige and its future-forward momentum.

MKThink is proud to have played a role in this milestone. Here's to the vision, the legacy, and the next hundred years of shaping spaces that matter.