The Bernard Sunley Building
The Bernard Sunley Building forms part of the stylish, original 1960s area of the college designed by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. It is located just off the central College Quad and comprises a wonderful tiered lecture theatre for up to 250 delegates, a large foyer and 3 large, plus 1 small, breakout rooms (all optional). With purpose-designed modernist furniture, AV facilities and flexible room combinations, it is an ideal and truly unique venue for larger events (with many of the rooms negotiable year-round).
In the past, larger events have also live-streamed plenary sessions from the Theatre into one or two of the breakout rooms to increase the overall capacity of the suite.
Floorplans
Bernard Sunley Lecture Theatre
General
One of the jewels in St Catherine’s crown, the stylish Bernard Sunley Lecture Theatre is located at the heart of the 1960s, Grade 1 Listed area of the College and is unique in its Modernist design (by Arne Jacobsen). It has 208 fixed tiered seats, but can seat up to 250 guests with additional seating added in. For a large capacity theatre, it has an intimate feel space and so also works very well for smaller events of around 100.
The Theatre comes equipped with built-in AV equipment including a stage area with presenter’s lecterns, large screen and data projector.
Adjoining the Theatre is a substantial Foyer area in which registration activity can take place and refreshments and drinks receptions can be catered for.
To complement the Theatre, there are also up to 4 additional breakout rooms available to hire within the Bernard Sunley Building.
The Lecture Theatre measures 16.7m x 15.7m (approx.)

Layout
- Theatre style - 250
Equipment
- Air conditioning
- Data projector and 20 ft screen
- Facility to play DVDs & CDs
- Induction hearing loop
- Microphones
- Presentation PC (at lecterns)
Availability
- All year
Would you like more details about booking this room?
Bernard Sunley Room A
General
Located on the ground floor of the Bernard Sunley Building and leading directly off the main Foyer, Room A offers a flexible meeting space often used in conjunction with the other Bernard Sunley facilities.
Room A is a light and airy room with two large windows and a wooden floor. It is a highly flexible room which is excellent for breakout, streaming, exhibition/poster activities or as an additional refreshment/reception space for larger events. It has AV equipment built-in.
- Room A measures 7m by 9.6m (approx.)
- Room A in U-shape
- Room A looking towards the AV

Layout
- Theatre style - 50
- Classroom - 26
- Cabaret Feel - 30
- Boardroom - 32
- U shape - 28
- Free space - 60
Equipment
- Data projector
- Presentation Laptop
- Screen
Availability
- Negotiable - All year
Bernard Sunley Room B
General
Room B is located on the first floor of the Bernard Sunley Building and is often used in conjunction with the other Bernard Sunley facilities as either a small breakout room or an office (during college vacations).
Often used by larger conferences as their conference office, Room B offers a computer and printer/copier and is within ear-shot and easy access of the main Bernard Sunley Theatre. Alternatively, this room can act as a lovely small breakout or meeting room and is set in a fixed boardroom style for up to 10 delegates. It has a laptop and a wall-mounted screen available for presentations plus a blackboard on the back wall and a side window overlooking the gardens.
Room B measures 4.7 metres x 6 metres (approx.)

Layout
- Boardroom - 14
- Office - 14
Equipment
- Photocopier
- Presentation Laptop
- Wall mounted plasma screen
Availability
- Vacations only
Would you like more details about booking this room?
Bernard Sunley Room C
General
Room C is located on the first floor of the Bernard Sunley Building and is primarily used during vacations as a breakout room in conjunction with the other Bernard Sunley facilities. It is usually set out in cabaret style with low coffee tables and chairs, but most other layouts are possible as the furniture is flexible/interchangable. AV equipment can be added to the room (at extra cost) and a large picture window to the side offers beautiful views over the gardens.
Room C measures 7 metres by 9.6 metres (approx.)

Layout
- Theatre style - 50
- Classroom - 32
- Boardroom - 24
- Free space - 60
- U shape - 20
- Cabaret Feel - 24
Equipment
- Air cooling
Availability
- Negotiable - All year
Bernard Sunley Room D
General
Room D (‘The Shaw Room’) is located within the Bernard Sunley Building and is the College’s Governing Body meeting room. It contains original, large boardroom tables and chairs (designed specifically for the College by Arne Jacobsen in the 1960s). Conference and meeting organisers are asked to use the room with the furniture in situ as it cannot be (re)moved due to its historic design importance.
AV can be added into the room (at extra cost) and a large picture window offers beautiful views of the gardens. Most often used as a breakout space in parallel with the other Bernard Sunley facilities during vacations, this striking room can hold up to 40 guests around the tables (and up to 50 with additional chairs brought in).
Room D measures 8.7 metres by 9.4 metres (approx.)

Layout
- Boardroom - 40
- U shape - 28
Equipment
- Air cooling
- Screen
Availability
- Negotiable - All year