Railpen and development manager Socius have launched a design competition for a community pavilion at Devonshire Gardens, a new mixed-use development in Cambridge.
Submissions are now open for innovative and sustainable design ideas for the outdoor pavilion which will be the focal point of a new public park at the development. Railpen and Socius are looking for creative concepts that celebrate the new neighbourhood’s commitments to community, sustainability, and connectivity.
Richard van Lente, senior asset and development manager at Railpen, said: “We are delighted to launch the Devonshire Gardens pavilion design competition and are excited to see submissions from the substantial architectural and design talent in the community. We want to create something for the development which exemplified the values of the space and provides an opportunity for architectural innovators to contribute to the rich landscape of Cambridge. Our ambition is that the pavilion will offer a flexible space for community events and activities, and as a flagship part of open green space it should also create a focal point that can act as a meeting place for generations to come.”
The competition is open to mixed teams of architects, designers, landscape architects and artists, but the team must be architect-led. Innovative design collaborations are encouraged, whether mixing established and emerging talent, contributors in different geographical locations or other factors, teams working together to connect and collaborate in order to add value to their ideas reflects the values of the development and will serve submissions well in the competition.
Railpen and Socius will oversee the competition process before collaborating with a judging panel of industry experts and local stakeholders to evaluate the submissions based on criteria including design approach, contextual response, and capacity to deliver within budget constraints.
How to enter
Following the assessment of an open Expression of Interest, four to five shortlisted submissions will be invited to advance to the ideas phase of the competition. Each shortlisted team will receive an honorarium of £1,500 (plus VAT), with the winning design team awarded £10,000 (plus VAT) for the delivery of their design. The winning team will be appointed to develop their ideas to RIBA Stage 2 at which point the scheme will be detailed and delivered by RH Partnership Architects and the delivery team. The winning team will also participate in the wider marketing and promotion of the development, providing an opportunity to support creative and diverse practices in their growth and development.
