Our client, Oxford University Development has revealed the winner of this competition to find master planners for the world-leading Innovation District at Begbroke....
We are delighted to announce that the team led by Hawkins Brown with OKRA; BuroHappold and Urban C:Lab; RCKa; Ooze; Ecological Land Cooperative; and Murray Twohig has won the competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplanning team for the proposed 190-hectare, mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park, just to the north of Oxford.
Many congratulations to Darryl Chen at Hawkins\Brown and the rest of the winning team!
It was a real pleasure working with the team at OUD and with the competitors - 40 submitted expressions of interest and five stellar teams were shortlisted. The winner was selected following a rigorous assessment process and review of proposals by the project team, a technical panel and a jury panel supported by specialist, external advisers.
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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.
The team is a well-balanced blend of established, international, large and small practices who will bring fresh perspectives to the growth of an innovation district of international standing.
“This is one of those rare opportunities to set an agenda for a type of place that doesn't quite yet exist. Begbroke will see new homes and space for science set within a semi-rural location driven by clients with a long-term outlook. We're super-happy that Oxford University Development have selected our team of spicy talents to work with them. We're going to give it our all!”
— Darryl Chen, Urban Design lead at 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. We look forward to working with the councils and surrounding communities to deliver benefits for local people as well as compete on the global stage”
— Anna Strongman, CEO, Oxford University Development,