RIBA Stirling Prize 2021: Key Worker Housing

Key Worker Housing,
Eddington, Cambridge
by Stanton Williams

This urban approach of loose interconnected courtyards is very successful and creates a delightful series of spaces. The walk from Market Square through four interwoven courts to reach Landscape Court is a pleasure, and easily accessible by all. The landscaping, both hard and soft, is particularly successful in integrating the buildings within a holistic and rigorous external environment.

The scheme manages to feel as though it is part Cambridge college and part new piece of city. As such, there is a slight ambiguity of what is truly public and what is private communal space for the residents, yet publicly accessible. This is deliberately employed in order to foster a communal sense within the development and an encouragement to use the space accordingly. With almost no private amenity space in the form of balconies, most external space is communal, either at roof level or ground level, so a resident wanting to enjoy a sunny afternoon is more than likely to bump into a neighbour.

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Image credit: Jack Hobhouse