PROJECT

Key Worker Housing, Eddington, North West Cambridge

CLIENT

University of Cambridge

DESIGN

Stanton William Architects

CLAY PAVERS

SeptimA Vanilla

PROCESSING

stretcher bond

Photos: © Jack Hobhouse

The North West Cambridge development is a major extension to the city and the most significant capital project that the University of Cambridge has undertaken in its 800-year history. Forming the heart of this new neighbourhood are Stanton Williams’ designs for 264 key worker homes for University staff, supported by generous public realm, retail and social spaces.

A network of courts and squares, framed by the 10 new buildings, creates a transition from the life of the city into the heart of a new community. These varied interconnected spaces form a social landscape, recalling the differentiated spaces of the traditional city and the historic collegiate spaces of central Cambridge. They differ in scale and function, moving from the large, urban and public Market Square, through to the semi-public Landscape Court.

Single storey cycle pavilions break down the scale and massing of the buildings, while pedestrian routes offer informal interconnections between public and semi-public spaces, helping to strengthen the sense of community. At the heart of the project vision is a desire to create lifetime homes and to foster sustainable living.

The palette of natural materials references the materiality found in the domestic architecture of Cambridge. Clay pavers and traditional cobblestones provide continuity and a sense of permanence, while timber and natural elements such as plants and water features introduce detail on a more intimate scale. The warm, yellow SeptimA Vanilla clay pavers are a perfect match with the environment.

The landscape, interspersed with water features and edible plants, encourages both wildlife and opportunities for respite and outdoor activities. Apartments provide generous living spaces and are primarily dual-aspect. The scheme utilises Combined Heat and Power Energy generation, rainwater harvesting and Sustainable Drainage Strategies. Residential units have been designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, while retail units and non-residential spaces were built to BREEAM Excellent.