Where spirited debate meets design and every corner has something to say
The speakers wall of fame
Members bar area.
What was once a tired student venue has been transformed into a vibrant destination for students, locals, and visitors alike – through strategic interior design, layered branding, and end-to-end project management by the UK Harrison Design Team.
The Cambridge Union Society had long been the beating heart of ideas, intellect, and independent thought in Cambridge. Our vision was to create a space that felt as charismatic and compelling as the debates that shaped it.
A Brand Strategy Rooted in Intellectual Charisma
Our design and brand strategy drew directly from the essence of the Society itself — a home of thinkers, rebels, orators, and iconoclasts. We called this spirit “spirited independent sociability” — a modern British personality with roots in wit, wordplay, and quiet grandeur.
The name The Orator gave us a stage. From there, we layered in storytelling: stitched menus inspired by Savile Row tailoring, signage that whispers with hidden quotation marks, and walls adorned with witticisms from legendary speakers. Even behind the bar, a chalkboard waits for each guest speaker’s closing line.
Every detail, every corner, every quip on the wall is infused with this intellectual swagger and the charismatic energy of centuries of debate.
Interior Design as A Living Conversation
Inside, the interior shifts from the gravitas of heritage to moments of lightness and character. Rich woods, deep blues, aged metals, and bespoke artwork mix seamlessly to create an atmosphere that feels timeless yet refreshingly alive. Wayfinding was a key part of this; how do we navigate guests through the experience? Using intelligent visual cues and layered messaging, we ensured that guests are gently guided — not just through the venue, but through its story.
A Destination Designed for Dialogue
The Orator now stands as more than just a place to dine or drink. Here, the debate continues – not just in words, but in every detail of the designed space. Debate may be the tradition — but history and storytelling IS the transformation.
Private dining area.
We approached Harrison because the project required fresh thinking, insight, innovation, pragmatism, and the ability to translate our history into a compelling and engaging space it has delivered everything and more.
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