This weekend a new housing development in Cambridge is up for the UK's most prestigious architectural prize - the RIBA Stirling Prize 2008.
One of only six schemes short-listed, Accordia, located in Brooklands Avenue, is a development of 212 houses and 166 apartments designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Alison Brooks Architects and Maccreanor Lavington for Countryside Properties.
The winner will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Liverpool on Saturday evening (11 October), and the awards ceremony, hosted by Kevin McCloud, will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 8pm that evening.
Cambridge City Council's Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth, Sian Reid, said: "Accordia is only the second housing scheme ever to make it onto the shortlist for the Stirling Prize, and this is a fantastic achievement for the architects and the developers.
"It is also a great credit to the city council's planners who worked hard with the architects and local residents to ensure that this was an exemplary scheme.
"Accordia proves that high-density new housing developments can be both practical and beautiful, and we intend to continue to push forward this design and planning philosophy for future developments across the city as set out in the Quality Charter.
"We will be keeping our fingers crossed for Saturday night, and it would be a terrific achievement if the scheme carried off the big prize."
Keith Bradley, Senior Partner for Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, said: "Accordia shows that it is possible for a volume house builder to support good, innovative design and on each return visit we've seen how good design can help create a real community. It has been a delight to see people enjoying the communal spaces together."
"This isn't the first time that the development has been recognised for its forward-thinking design. Local authorities and Cambridgeshire Horizons highlighted Accordia in the Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth (itself short-listed for an Royal Town Planners Institute award) as recent triumph of well-considered, modern design.
"We are delighted that Accordia has made it to the finals of this year’s Stirling Prize and wish them all the best."
Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, added: "Accordia exemplifies many of the principles set out in the Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth and, as Cambridge continues to expand, we want to see more and higher quality developments coming forward, which we hope can be prize winners of the future."
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