UK architectural firm wins £1 billion Oxford innovation district project prize

Manchester-based architectural firm Hawkins\Brown has been selected by the Oxford University Development as the winner of their prestigious design competition to develop a revolutionary plan for a £1 billion, 470-acre mixed-use 'Innovation District' at Begbroke Science Park, just north of Oxford.

The Oxford University Development is a joint £4 billion venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital.

The firm beat 40 other entries from some of the world's top architectural agencies. It wasn't just Hawkins/Brown involved, though. The team also consisted of Rotterdam-based design company Ooze and landscapers OKRA, BuroHappold and C:Lab. As well as the commercial strategist Murray Twohig.

Anna Strongman, the CEO of Oxford University Development had this to say about the project being awarded to Hawkins/Brown: “We’re thrilled to have found a stellar team that will work with us to design a masterplan that responds to Oxford's housing needs and propels the economic attraction of the new centre as an exemplary place to live, work, and foster innovation and enterprise.”

Darryl Chen, Urban Design lead at Hawkins\Brown, was obviously delighted at the news. “This is one of those rare opportunities to set an agenda for a type of place that doesn't quite yet exist yet," he said. "Begbroke will see new homes and space for science set within a semi-rural location driven by clients with a long-term outlook.”

“Hawkins\Brown demonstrated design flair through strong leadership, a collaborative approach and cross-sector expertise that resulted in a fresh approach to the new Innovation District. The jury found the winning team had balanced the need for delivery, design, attention to phasing, and the evolution of the place. The team offered a very strong response to the design challenge, proposed creative integration of different uses, as well as sensitive consideration of existing communities and those who will come to use the spaces.”

In explaining their decision, Oxford University Development said that Hawkins Brown had shown 'design flair through strong leadership, a collaborative approach and cross-sector expertise that resulted in a fresh approach to the new innovation district through the competition process.'

It also said those judging the entries found that the winning team had managed to balance the need for design, delivery, attention to phasing and evolution.

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