Hobson’s Square, Cambridge

The square is the civic heart of the new Great Kneighton development and a significant new public space for Cambridge. The design concept is based on Bronze Age field boundaries found on the site; one boundary runs diagonally through the new square and is used to mark a dynamic transition between the flexible plaza space on one side and quieter garden areas on the other. A variety of activities, from the everyday to seasonal and festive events, can be accommodated here, creating opportunities for community and personal interaction among the square’s residents.

The 25-ton timber sculpture, the Bronze House, was designed by Studio Morison and fabricated by Castle Ring Oak Frame.  Hand scorched and rubbed down with wire brushes to produce its final finish, the sculpture is made from misshapen chestnut wood. The new sculpture sits at the centre of the square and references the Bronze Age archeology found on site.

Client:
Countryside Properties

Consultant Team:
URS
Future City
Heather and Ivan Morison

Completed by Place Design + Planning Ltd