Courtyards and Communal Identity by Mecanoo at Open Cambridge 2018

Mecanoo’s design for Eddington, a residential development for research staff and employees of the University of Cambridge, builds upon the rich traditions and collegiate character of the city. The 232-unit housing block is arranged around two connected courtyards. The tour will focus on how these two central open spaces create different connections between the dwellings and collective areas, balancing the private and public realms.

Creating a community was vital to the University’s brief.  Drawing inspiration from the variations of enclosed and open, formal and informal building arrangements characteristic of Cambridge, the project reinterprets the relation between public and private space. This approach is centred on the two courtyards, which provide a pleasant community space with their grass lawns, flower beds, raised decks, planters, fruit trees and urban furniture.

Facing the inner courtyards, external access galleries rhythmically protrude outwards, offering a series of ‘outdoor living rooms’ for residents to meet and interact. In the buildings at the corners of the block as well as in the central ‘spine’ block, the internal corridors widen around central full-height sky-lit atria. Like glass lanterns, these glazed voids enliven communal circulation spaces with natural light.

When: Saturday 15 September: 12:00pm - 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: Market Square, Eddington, CB3 1SE

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