A new district in Cambridge, Eddington comprises 700 homes for key University staff, Swirles Court - a post-graduate student complex for 325 students, and facilities to support the local community, including the Storey’s Field Centre, University of Cambridge Primary School, Sainsbury’s supermarket, parklands, play areas and sports fields, as well as infrastructure to support connectivity for the development.
Eddington opened in Summer 2017 and has currently has a population of approximately 600 people. It is the largest single capital project that the University of Cambridge has undertaken in its 800-year history. The development provides affordable housing for University key workers and much needed housing for the wider Cambridge community in an environment that boasts highly sustainable living.
Heather Topel, Project Director of the North West Cambridge Development said: “We are thrilled that Eddington has been recognised by the RICS as a significant housing development and as Project of the Year in the region against the high standards in the competition. At a time when house-building is a priority regionally and nationally, the University is setting high standards of quality design whilst also considering the importance of developing strong and sustainable communities.”
Originality
The judges awarded the scheme Project of the Year because the University is admirably tackling the affordable housing challenges in the city whilst creating a mixed community, incorporating quality and sustainable homes for University key workers and the wider community.
The University’s unique position in the local community affords a long-term perspective to placemaking at the North West Cambridge Development. By delivering key social infrastructure at the outset including the University-sponsored school (which opened in September 2015), a local centre with shops and a supermarket, community centre, sports pitches and parklands, the University seeks to establish a vibrant district where community spirit flourishes and is integrated into the wider community. As an exemplar of sustainability, the development pushes the boundaries on a development of this scale, and will be built site-wide to BREEAM Excellent and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.
The other finalists in the residential category included: Magna, Cambridge; Monkey Lodge, Ipswich; New house Richmond Road, Thetford; St Chad’s Thurrock; The Deerings, Hertfordshire.
The Project of the Year accolade was awarded to the best winner from the evening’s winners including: Apple Tree Farmhouse in Chorleywood for the Building Conservation category; One Station Square in Cambridge for the Commercial category; Glenwood School in Benfleet for the Community Benefit category; Aerospace Integration Research centre in Cranfield for the Design through Innovation category; International Aviation Academy in Norwich for the Regeneration category; and the Naze Education and Visitor Centre in Walton-on-the-Naze for the Tourism and Leisure category.
The Project will go onto compete in the National RICS awards which will be announced in November 2018
Find out more about the impressive winning projects by downloading a copy of the winners' brochure.
About Eddington, the heart of the North West Cambridge Development
Eddington is a new community setting the standard in sustainable living, delivered by the University of Cambridge. This visionary urban area will provide new homes, learning spaces, amenities and green spaces, creating a vibrant environment for people to live, learn, and socialise in.
Eddington will secure the long-term success of the university by providing homes for its academic staff and students, to maintain its status as a leading academic institution on a global stage. The community is beautifully and innovatively designed, inspired by the architecture of the city and University of Cambridge.
The 150-hectare site will include:
- 1,500 homes for University and College key workers
- 1,500 homes for sale
- 2,000 post-graduate student bed spaces
- 100,000 square metres of research facilities
- A wide range of community facilities
Phase one includes:
- 700 homes for qualifying University and College staff
- 325 post-graduate student rooms
- 450 market homes
- Public green space
- Facilities including a primary school, community centre, nursery and a doctor’s surgery
The University’s approval will be sought for future phases, enabled through outline planning permission.
For more information:
Visit: http://www.nwcambridge.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nwcambridge?lang=en