Rotterdam-based LOLA Landscape Architects has been selected by developers Landsec U+I and TOWN to design the new 48-hectare Hartree development, a mixed-use neighborhood in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The masterplan for the urban quarter development was designed by Swedish practice Kjellander Sjöberg Architects. The design team includes various disciplines including, urban planners, architects, engineers, and sustainability experts. The collaboration is supported by renowned architecture practices, such as Bell Phillips, Haworth Tompkins, 5th Studio Architects, Feilden Fowles, Nooma Studio, Alison Brooks Architects, Useful Projects, and Pell Frischmann. 

Hartree is owned by water company Anglian Water and the Cambridge City Council. The site is currently home to the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant, a gold driving range, and commercial buildings. The development places a strong emphasis on the well-being of the community, the city’s future, and sustainability. It neighbors key employment districts, including Cambridge Business Park, St. John’s Innovation Park, and the Cambridge Science Park. The project pays tribute to the legacy of Cambridge’s first female Mayor, Eva Hartree.

The current proposal includes over 5,000 homes, along with schools, shops, workplaces, and parks within walking distance. A series of focus groups, workshops, and co-designed sessions have been organized to gather the feedback of the local community.

Next steps for Hartree include further community engagement, working with the Local Planning Authority, and a detailed design process. The planning submission is expected for late 2024.

“As we embark on this ambitious Hartree landscape design development, we are excited to develop a sustainable site plan that not only creates a place where people, flora and fauna can thrive, but also enhances the existing qualities of the area’s heritage and landscape,” said LOLA Landscape Architects Founding Partner & Senior Landscape Architect, Eric-Jan Pleijster. “The delay of on-site rainwater through natural water management is a leading factor in our landscape design, and we see it as a key driver for the special setup of the new development’s urban structure.”