Located in the centre of the University of Cambridge, St John’s College was founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. The second largest of the constituent Colleges of the University of Cambridge.
The College comprises of many historic and varied buildings from First Court 1511-16, Second Court 1599-1601 and New Court 1826-31. The Great Chapel, designed by George Gilbert Scott, in 1863-69 and the Library building designed by John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln and Keeper of the Great Seal to Charles I, in 1624-26; the Library was enhanced with a modern extension in 1990-92. Finally the iconic Cripps Building built between 1964 and 1967 straddles Bin Brook.
MBL provides an ongoing service to the College from maintenance on locks, door closers and access control to various specialist requirements on its unique and historic buildings and fittings.
MBL continues to work closely with the college, their in-house design and maintenance team and various architects on major refurbishments for Fellows and student accommodation. The accommodation, found throughout the college’s historic buildings, range from single rooms to multi occupancy and total over 300 ‘sets’ and ‘gyps’.
This involves careful restoration of the existing locks, handles, hinges and associated ironmongery combined with the bespoke manufacture of many specialist locks and ironmongery. To date the reproduction of over 900 sets of knobs and handles have been produced and supplied. Styles and materials range from polished brass to solid bronze with various finishes including bright chrome plate and the college’s own unique dark bronze.
MBL has also scheduled and supplied door control systems, locks cases and associated fittings for various works within the college, many of these required re-finishing in our workshops to match the special IBMA (Imitation Bronze Metallic Antique) finish used by the college.
The precise planning, design and detailed, ongoing management of extensive master key systems by MBL ensure a safe and secure environment for all the staff and students throughout the many internal and external properties, of the college.
MBL are immensely proud of the working relationship with St Johns College and the quality of the works carried out by all parties involved.
