New compact housing
Accordia Brooklands Neighbourhood
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Client: Countryside Properties
Programme: 34 single family houses
The Accordia site served during the cold war as a secret nuclear bunker for the government. Brooklands Avenue is an existing tree-lined street that forms the central axis of a new housing area, which was masterplanned by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The building design newly interprets the traditional townhouse typology were front and back house are joined. It aims to maximize the direct relationship between the internal spaces and a series of external spaces, arranged over all levels of the building.
In 2008 Accordia won the prestigious Stirling Prize, the highest accolade awarded to architecture in the UK. Previously, no Stirling Prize had been awarded for housing developments.
“Seeing Accordia gives one hope that we can develop a relevant contemporary language for housing, which today is totally missing in Britain. The buildings are beautifully proportioned, have a wonderful rhythm and scale and successfully link the past with the present yet are modern.” Lord Richard Rogers
“This is high-density housing at its very best . . .The key to the scheme is the “relationships” between the three firms of architects that designed it, with those who live on it, and between private and public spaces within it. [It provides] a new model for outside-inside life with interior roofspaces, internal courtyards and large semi-public community gardens. It is architecture which gives hope for us all for the future.” RIBA judges
Stages:
All architectural stages
2006 Completed
Awards:
RIBA Stirling Prize 2008
RIBA National Award 2008
Civic Trust Award 2007
National Housing Design Award, Overall Winner 2006
Team:
MaccreanorLavington:MLA+
Masterplan with Fielden Clegg Bradley, Landscape: Grant Associates, Structure: Richard Jackson, M&E: Roberts & Partners, Planning consultant: DTZ Paeda
