News

Welcome

As we write this, the nation is enacting Step 2 on the roadmap out of lockdown – and, as we go to press, we should be passing Step 3. It has been a difficult year, but the CAA would like to thank its readership and community for their continued support and encouragement.

Among the features in this issue, Alex Reeve unveils the new headquarters for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership; the Secret Architect returns with some commentary on Park Street Car Park; Nicola Carniato discusses the circular economy; Janet Hall helps explain how Swaffham Prior is gaining a sustainable heating network; and Margaret Reynolds discusses the ethics of retrofit.

Reassuringly, it is also awards season, and we take great pleasure in showing the winners of the Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2021, along with our regular feature showcasing local projects under way. You will also notice some extended descriptions of some of our sponsors. If you’re a sponsor and want to be featured, please send us some text and images and we’ll be glad to show the readership your best side. e past year has shown that, if nothing else, we need to continue to rethink how we approach building design and construction – encouraging our clients to think ahead, considering how a project can minimise the environmental impact and create flexible, sustainable spaces that can support them for the long term.

The editors

News

2021 CAA Committee elections

Following the recent (virtually held) AGM in February 2021, the Cambridge Association of Architects is pleased to announce its committee members for the current session, including a new Chair, Mart Barrass, of Mart Barrass Architect Ltd. Mart takes over from previous Chair Rachael Branton. New for this year is the post of Sustainability Champion, led by Alice Hamlin and following on the successes of the recent sustainability lectures. If you want to add your name to this illustrious list, please email

chair@cambridgearchitects.org

The 2021 committee consists of:

Chair: Mart Barrass (Mart Barrass Architect Ltd) Secretary: Quratulain Hafeez (freelance) Treasurer: Kelly O’Doherty (BCR Infinity Architects) Communications: Mark Richards (studio24 architects) Data Champion: Tom Foggin (R H Partnership Architects) Outreach: Ann Bassett (Bassett Architects) Events Coordinator: Looking for a volunteer! Sustainability Champion: Alice Hamlin (Mole Architects) Fundraising: Marie-Luise Critchley-Waring

© Thomas Hoblyn Garden Design

A new garden in the oldest college

Suffolk-based, award-winning garden designer Tom Hoblyn has designed a new garden for Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Known as Cosin Court, the intent for the three-acre plot is to create a series of accessible, inviting gardens with a focus on health and wellbeing, and pioneering a sustainable way to treat these historic spaces.

Hobson’s Conduit forms part of the inspiration behind Hoblyn’s Cosin Court water feature, which will capture rainwater for irrigation, but also provide a calming influence over the garden.

© MCW Architects

MCW wins consent for St John’s College project

Planning and listed building consent has been granted for a new refurbishment project at St John’s College, with a team comprising MCW Architects, Turley Planning Consultants, Purcell, Tobit Curteis Associates and KJ Tait.

It will provide a place for the whole college community to meet, eat, drink and work in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. A ‘fabric first approach’ aims to protect the integrity, stability and condition of historic fabric, minimising potential harm while supporting the commitment to energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

© Urban Splash

First homes unveiled at Inholm

The first homes have been craned into position at Inholm, Northstowe.

The project, by developer Urban Splash, will deliver 406 houses constructed using MMC (Modern Methods of Construction), which will use approximately 67% less energy to build, compared with traditional builds.

Customers can select internal layouts, and the house is then precision built in the factory, fitted with bathrooms and kitchens, before being delivered in sections and constructed on site in just a few days. The houses combine high levels of insulation, energy-saving components, and qualitycontrol standards.

Transforming Nottingham Castle

Purcell has recently completed the transformation of Nottingham Castle museum and art gallery, a Grade I listed Scheduled Monument.

Works included the repair and refurbishment of the C17 Ducal Palace and medieval Gatehouse, improving access to the historic caves, and a new, contemporary visitor centre set within a remodelled landscape.

CAA past and present

The CAA is collecting information on the history of the organisation, to be shown on the website and in future editions of Cambridge Architecture. As a volunteer association, records can sometimes be patchy, so we’re interested in your knowledge of the CAA’s history, in particular the 1950s: who was running the organisation, and what were the major issues of the day? Send your historical knowledge to editors@ cambridgearchitects.org

Add your story to the online archive

In retirement, Alex Reid, former chair of the CAA and former Director General at the RIBA, produces an online archive of life stories, called Lives Retold (www.livesretold.co.uk).

If any CAA members have written an account of their life, or are minded to do so, Alex would be very pleased to hear from them. He can be contacted at aalreid@gmail.com

Plan for Use

A building’s life begins at handover, though we often consider that as nearing the end of our appointment. This needs to be reversed, and the RIBA’s latest publication, Plan for Use, details the processes and best practice for postoccupancy evaluation, which starts at a project’s inception. www.architecture.com/ knowledge-and-resources/resourceslanding-page/plan-for-use-guide