Renovations to Historic Buildings in Merton's Front Quad

Between July 2025 and May 2026, extensive building works took place in the Front Quad, where the MCR and other buildings were under scaffolding for much of that time as vital updates to the MCR and student accommodation were made. The MCR is one of the oldest of Merton’s buildings, acquired in 1268 and used as the Warden’s House from 1216-1910.

The recently-completed work had the dual objectives of improving sustainability whilst preserving the building’s historical heritage. The building works involved upgrading student accommodation, extensive insulation work on the roof, secondary glazing added to the windows, full electrical wiring in Front 5, full en-suite improvements, including upgraded mechanical ventilation, the installation of smart meters and updates to fire prevention and detection measures, and new hot water cylinders as well as renovations to fittings and furnishings.

The roof was the subject of major work. The slates and ridge tiles were carefully removed, and stored on the scaffolding, to minimize risks of breakage while the work took place. The insulation of the roof and loft was upgraded: replacing the medieval horsehair insulation with modern insulation.  New membrane and new batons were added before the ridges and roof tiles were carefully replaced, restoring the historical building to its former appearance.

Two leadwork roofs were upgraded with new with code 6 lead and extra insulation was added to the roof over the Breakfast Room, over Fitzjames, and to the ceiling of the Benefactors’ Arch to improve energy efficiency.

The building’s lighting and heating were also updated. Front 5 had been re-built in 1904/05 and therefore needed to be refurbished.  New wiring was installed, with new cable routes routed through the building.  The radiators were replaced with state of the art, energy-saving heaters and an EyeSense system was installed: the EyeSense system is a room energy management solution designed to maintain comfortable internal conditions for occupants whilst reducing unnecessary energy consumption and supporting our carbon reduction objectives. 

Inside the MCR new LED fittings were installed, the floors sanded and resealed, and alterations were made for an accessible lift at some time in the future. In terms of energy performance, the piece de resistance is the new secondary glazing system that was installed in the MCR and throughout Front 5. Carefully crafted by D Smith Joinery to complement the building’s heritage, the handmade oak-framed windows installed on the interior are a feature in themselves and create insulation from energy loss and noise from the outside.

Front 5 - Student accommodation rooms

The student accommodation rooms were extensively restored, with improved use of space, new furniture and fittings, and careful restoration of original features.  As rooms in a building that had originally been heated by open fires, the rooms had decades’ worth of soot embedded into the wooden fireplace surrounds and wooden paneling that feature in the rooms. The surrounds and panels were carefully cleaned and treated, restoring the beautifully crafted woodwork to its original tone. Other original features that were restored were the brass interior door handles and the bronze window frames.

Sustainability

Alongside significant improvements to the building’s energy efficiency through the upgrade and installation of insulation, sustainability considerations were embedded throughout every stage of the refurbishment project. Wherever possible, existing materials and features were retained, repaired, or restored, reducing unnecessary consumption, limiting deliveries and waste, and preserving the character and heritage of the college. Original features, including 120-year-old door handles, were carefully removed and restored, while existing wood panelling and fireplaces were sensitively refurbished and retained as part of the building’s historic fabric.

To improve thermal performance while respecting the building’s heritage, secondary glazing was installed to reduce heat loss and solar gain through the original single-glazed windows. The secondary glazing units were crafted locally using European timber, supporting both sustainability objectives and local craftsmanship.

The refurbishment also included the installation of LED lighting in areas that had not previously been upgraded, significantly improving lighting efficiency and reducing energy consumption across the building.

In addition to the restoration and preservation of the buildings, from an energy performance perspective, the cumulative effect of the work has improved the energy performance rating from F to B!