10 CASE STUDY
Finding the key to housing uni workers
A project to create key worker homes for University of Cambridge staff has been completed – featuring a well thought-out design by architects Stanton Williams. Jack Wooler visited the scheme and spoke to the practice’s Gavin Henderson on how the space between buildings has been utilised to embed the community into the new development.
rchitects Stanton Williams have completed 264 key worker homes for staff at the University of Cambridge, blending social and retail spaces in the expanding community of Eddington, in the north west of the city. After being appointed in 2013 as part of an architectural competition, the archi- tects brought inspiration from the historic city – which is well known for its distinc- tive architectural mix – as well as developing their own ideas as to how key worker housing can, and should, function. The new development is focused around a network of communal spaces, framed by 10 new buildings in a loose orthogonal shape. This shape has been moulded thoughtfully by the architects, utilising open space and sight-lines to create a sense of openness and comfort for its users.
A
(two of which are wheelchair accessible), and three four-bed homes each totalling 155 m2
. It is hoped this
range of sizes will suit the similarly varied expected occupants, of which the likely shortened tenancy of post-doctorate employees required design consideration. Now a key part of the wider project –
which is eventually set to bring 3,000 new properties to the area – the new homes contribute significantly to the ambitious new neighbourhood of Eddington, which is claimed as an exemplar in building community cohesion.
The wider development is the largest capital project in the University’s 800 year history, offering homes for university staff alongside additional market housing, as well as the necessary amenities to enable sustainable day to day living and working – with the Stanton Williams-led project adding a supermarket and copious cycle facilities alongside the homes.
THROUGH THE MARKET SQUARE The brief provided by the university to the architects for the project was to create a new urban quarter – fulfilling the client’s aspirations of a place “teeming with its
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hosted 100 one-bed apartments measured at 50-54 m2 62-64 m2
Between the 10 new buildings are , 161 two-bed apartments at
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