Project Overview
Situated in the heart of Cambridge, the project undertaken for St Catharine’s College aimed to enrich the environment for students, staff, and visitors by modernising and integrating facilities.
This comprehensive endeavour involved the redevelopment and reconfiguration of key social spaces whilst meticulously preserving and highlighting the heritage of the original structure.
SDC’s working hours were altered for client and neighbour consideration.
Given the central location and the presence of occupied neighbouring buildings, the execution of noisy construction activities was rigorously monitored and restricted to designated hours throughout the duration of the project.
Helen Hayward, Operations Director
“The re-modelling of our Central Spaces has transformed our social spaces; improving accessibility and circulation at the centre of the College’s historical estate, while also harmonising, connecting, and in some cases redesigning a wide range of existing and much-loved facilities. SDC worked tirelessly to make the vision a reality, solving many technical engineering and construction problems and working in partnership with us to ensure the finished spaces matched our expectations.”
Core Team
Dan Changer
Board Director
After completing a BArch (Hons) Architecture at the University of Cambridge, Dan began his career in architecture in London. During his later Part 3 studies, he worked as an Architect for a London-based architecture firm, contributing to a project at Christ Lane in Cambridge with SDC as the Principle Contractor.
In 2010, Dan became the first Architect employed directly by SDC. Dan emersed himself in the interface between consultant and subcontract design management to ensure efficient design delivery, which became a central part of his role.
One of his early projects was at Moulton College, where he worked as a Design Manager on a sports rehabilitation centre, learning to balance design considerations with practical implementation. This led to further schemes, such as his involvement in the University of Cambridge Sports Centre project which had a complicated roof geometry, necessitating close collaboration with consultants and specialist subcontractor design. It was during this time that Dan formed close partnerships with other members of the SDC team that proved valuable for managing complex projects and delivering results under pressure.
Dan’s work with the University of Cambridge became a defining aspect of his career, with notable projects such as the Maxwell Centre and Judge Business School amongst many others. His background as a Cambridge alumnus has helped foster strong relationships, ensuring that the University receive projects that meet its expectations for quality and functionality.
Known for his problem-solving abilities, Dan frequently tackles architecturally challenging projects. Responsible for the Design department within the company, his approach focuses on planning, collaboration, and ensuring that designs align with the client’s vision. He values the supportive and fair culture at SDC, which has helped cultivate long-term staff loyalty. For Dan, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing the spaces he helps create put to good use and appreciated by clients.
Peter Armstrong
Construction Manager
Mark O’Leary
Senior Quantity Surveyor
Mark is an experienced construction professional who joined SDC in 2016. With a comprehensive understanding of the construction process, he takes charge of managing the pre-construction phase, ensuring that every project is set up for success from the very beginning. Mark oversees the entire cost control process, closely monitoring budgets and ensuring that projects remain financially on track from the tender stage through to project completion. Over the course of his career at SDC, Mark has made significant contributions to a wide range of prestigious projects, many of which are associated with high-profile institutions such as the University of Cambridge. His involvement in these projects highlights SDC’s commitment to delivering exceptional results while also fostering long-term, collaborative relationships with clients.
Marc Huggins
Services Project Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
