Graduate students at the University of Cambridge will get the chance to work with some of Europe's most exciting architects and landscape architects at a workshop this week.

Run by the University's Department of Architecture, with support from the French Embassy in London, the course will give four teams of students the chance to make hypothetical proposals for the development of the University's science and technology campus at West Cambridge.

The site, located about a mile from the city centre, is being developed to house the University's physical sciences and engineering departments. Its development follows the principles of a masterplan, produced by MJP architects for the University. One third of the buildings either exist or are in construction, leaving two thirds of the site available for consideration.

The workshop is led by architects and landscape architects Peter Latz, Pascal Cribier, Camlin/Lonsdale and Eric Parry (with artists Pierre Vivant and Shealagh Wakely). The teams will make hypothetical proposals on three issues concerning the site's development.

  • They may work with the masterplan itself on issues of landscaping and connection with the University and city.
  • They may look at the content and layout of buildings still to be built on site.
  • They might offer ways of linking West Cambridge to the wider context of its surroundings.

The Head of the Department of Architecture, Professor Alan Short, was grateful for the support of the French Embassy and to the architects and landscape architects for being involved in the workshop.
"This master-class gives our graduate students an insight in to the opportunities and constraints of developing a mixed use site like West Cambridge.

"It is also a way to launch a long term involvement with landscape issues both within the school and the University"

From today (Friday 22) to Sunday 24, the teams will develop their ideas and on Sunday at 2pm the public will have the opportunity to view and discuss the finished proposals; along with Ole Bouman, editor of ARCHIS, Peter Studdert, Director of Environment and Planning for Cambridge City Council, Professor John Parker, Director of the University's Botanic Garden and Professor Alan Short, Head of the Department of Architecture.

The venue for the workshop is the small exam hall in the Arts School at the New Museums site on Pembroke Street.

For information about attending the event, please telephone the Department of Architecture on 01223 332958.

Photo by Tim Soar

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