26 January 2016
A custom build cohousing scheme on the outskirts of Cambridge has been awarded for its enviromentally-led designs.
The K1 scheme – planned by Cambridge Cohousing with developers TOWNhus and architects Mole – picked up the Environmental Award in the Cambridge News Property Awards.
The pioneering development of around 40 private homes is designed to help residents tread lighter on the planet while dramatically cutting heating bills. Each super-insulated house and flat will benefit from Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) units using outgoing air to heat the homes while ensuring excellent ventilation and air quality. A number of the Cambridge Cohousing members also plan to install photovoltaic or solar thermal panels and to use 100% renewable electricity.
As well as being energy-efficient, the cohousing ethos of re-use and sharing spaces is another means for the community to avoid wasteful consumption and encourage cooperation. The Common House, at the heart of K1 and every cohousing scheme, will be specially-designed with a range of communal facilities, including a workshop where people can borrow what they need for DIY and gardening, plus a well-equipped laundry with energy-efficient appliances.
Members have also developed a transport plan to help the community reduce its impact further. Once they have moved in, the residents will be setting up a car pool and a lift-share scheme. Additionally, a large communal garden is planned with space for growing veg and fruit, and used for community meals and shared amongst the residents, helping to reduce food waste and providing a supply of fresh produce.
Chris Wilson, on behalf of Cambridge Cohousing, said: “We’re delighted to have won the Environmental Award and would like to thank the independent judging panel for selecting K1 at Orchard Park. Other new developments score well for sustainability but we believe the cohousing concept makes us unique. Once completed, our energy-efficient homes and the cohousing ideas of community and sharing will make it easy for people to do their bit for the environment as part of everyday life, at whatever level that’s right for them.”
The K1 Orchard Park project has been generously supported by Cambridge City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency as an exemplar of cohousing. A detailed planning application was submitted in December and the members are looking forward to their dream becoming reality once construction begins.
