As joint master-developers for the 5,600 home mixed-use development in North East Cambridge, TOWN and U+I have selected a masterplanning team for the Core Site.

The practice appointed to lead the project is Swedish firm Kjellander Sjöberg Architects, working alongside leading architecture practices, including Bell Phillips, Haworth Tompkins, and 5th Studio Architects, with Feilden Fowles, Nooma Studio and Alison Brooks Architects.

Based around three key promises of championing people, city, and planet, the Core Site will be designed to support the health and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and workers, help shape the future of Cambridge, and be an exemplar for sustainable 21st century living.

The 48ha brownfield site is currently home to the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant and is owned by Anglian Water and Cambridge City Council.

Martyn Evans, Creative Director of U+I, said: “As one of the last and largest brownfield sites in Cambridge, Core Site is a genuine opportunity to deliver an entire new neighbourhood on the edge of – but firmly rooted in – Cambridge, designed through extensive consultation with its people. The team has been appointed for its broad and deep expertise, including international practices with experience from exemplar projects across the globe, and local firms with invaluable knowledge of the city. We’re looking forward to this collaboration producing a world-class scheme which will become a blueprint for the delivery of new urban districts across the UK.”

Jonny Anstead, Director of TOWN, commented: “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Kjellander Sjöberg Architects as masterplanners for the Core Site. Their innovative approach to sustainable urban development aligns perfectly with TOWN and U+I’s shared vision for a new quarter that will be designed and delivered in collaboration with local people, organisations, and range of partners. With the insight and expertise of Kjellander Sjöberg Architects, the Core Site will be a community-orientated, vibrant and dynamic place that will improve people’s quality of life and enable more sustainable ways of living.”

Stefan Sjöberg, founding director of Kjellander Sjöberg Architects, added: ”The Core Site is a real opportunity to engage with Cambridge; to envision an amazing place that is inclusive, sustainable, and anchored into its unique heritage and local character with connections to the adjacent Fen landscape. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shape an inspiring example of future neighbourhoods based on the principles of the five-minute city – where everything is near, and walking and biking are the priority.”

The Core Site team are working closely with Kjellander Sjoberg and the supporting architects to shape the proposals and engage with the local community.