Cambridge Assessment
Eric Parry Architects was appointed to design the new headquarters for Cambridge Assessment in 2013, following a limited competition. Established over 150 years ago, Cambridge Assessment operates and manages the University of Cambridge three exam boards and carries out academic and operational research on assessment in education.
The development provides approximately 350,000 sqft (NIA) of new office and amenity space for 3,000 people with 1,325 bicycle spaces. Our vision was to create an inspiring new group of connected buildings, ranging from four to five storeys in height. These are shallow plan depth fingers set around raised landscaped podia with a central arrival court and garden. The main façades are formed of horizontal bands of handset brickwork in lime mortar, combined with light coloured self-finished precast concrete elements, and include a visual arts intervention by Vong Phaophanit and Claire Oboussier.
A taller tower is located along the railway, marking the site when viewed from the railway and busway approach into Cambridge station. The tower is scaled to the local context and will not compete with the existing taller landmark buildings in Cambridge. The building is highly sustainable and is targeting a DEC A certification.
“A key factor in Cambridge Assessment’s success is its focus on employee wellness, as evidenced by changing, shower and cycling provisions, and an in-house Wellbeing Centre. The judges agreed that the workplace supported employees’ mental health through its intelligent use of uplifting artwork, daylight, natural ventilation and views of the city.”BCO Awards 2019 Judges
Summary
- Project name: Cambridge Assessment
- Client: Cambridge Assessment
- Location: Cambridge
- Completion Date: 2018
Collaboration
- Artists: Vong Phaophanit and Claire Oboussier
- Building Services Engineer: Max Fordham
- Contractor: Bouygues
- Interior Architecture: BDP Interiors
- Landscape Architect: Grant Associates
- Photography: Dirk Lindner
- Photography: Grant Smith
- Structural Engineer: Ramboll
Awards
- RIBA Regional Award - Shortlisted (2020)
- BCO Midlands & Central England, Corporate Workspace Awards - Winner (2019)
- RIBA East Awards - Shortlisted (2019)
- Cambridge Design and Construction Awards - Winner - Best New Building – Large (2019)
- Brick Awards - Shortlisted (2018)