THE DOME

Murray Edwards College was founded in 1954 as New Hall, then renamed after Dame Rosemary Murray Edwards. It is situated in Huntingdon Road, Cambridge. The Dome, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, is an architectural wonder. The petals are made from 4" thick concrete and rest their weight on 8 pillars with hollow steel tubes that double as water drains from the roof. The light pours into the dining hall beneath, through glass covered gaps between the petals. It is described as follows :- Classical architecture, stylish in the grand manner; the manner of the slide rule and the tower cranes, of the four and a half ton vault, cast in London and swung smoothly into place above the tree tops to a tolerance of a quarter of an inch. Murray Edwards is a women only college but allows male tutors and staff. I went there today to check on opening times as there are several sculptures in the grounds and various art exhibitions that I wish to see.