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June 2000

Cambridge Consultants sets challenge for tomorrow's architects

Cambridge company sponsors architecture competition for Anglia Polytechnic students.

Liz Jacobs and her winning design, 'Wave'.

Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL), the European technology and innovation arm of global consulting firm Arthur D. Little, has named Liz Jacobs, a student at Anglia Polytechnic University (APU), as the winner of an architecture competition that the company launched in March.

CCL had set a challenge to students studying Architecture and Architectural Technology at APU. Their mission was to design a new architectural water feature to be built outside CCL's prestigious Cambridge Science Park headquarters. The new design needed to reflect CCL's culture and make a dynamic statement at the front of the building for visitors and staff alike.

Marketing Communications Manager Patrick Pordage presented Liz Jacobs with a cheque for £750. The verdict was announced to the six finalists after each had presented a scale model of their design to the panel.

Judges were impressed with the quality of the student's work, including the quality of their presentation, model making and use of materials. The winning entry is a bold design for a permanent architectural feature that can be built realistically, and best reflects CCL's values.

Competition winner Liz, 21, a first year student from Felixstowe calls her design 'Wave'. Explaining the design she said, "Wave combines natural form with modern materials -- such as stainless steel and plastics. A jet of water will be pumped across the leading edge of the wave, creating a dramatic scene as the foaming water is illuminated from below the water line. Waves have a continuous circle of movement and are never still, much like technological advances."

Patrick Pordage, Marketing Communications Manager at CCL said, "We were delighted to solve a design problem in this way." He added, "not only did we get a great design that will make a statement to those visiting CCL, but we're also delighted that we've been able to help young people train for careers in a world where being able to succeed when in competition with one's peers is essential."

Gil Lewis, APU architecture and architectural technology course leader said, "Competitions of this sort are great vehicles for teaching. I was delighted to be asked to work with CCL in devising a competition that delivered real benefit to our students. I'm looking forward to seeing Liz's design built."

Competition entrants first visited the site of new feature on 15 March. During the visit they received a design brief and learned something of CCL's work and culture. On 3 May, fifteen entries were presented to the CCL judges, who drew up a shortlist of six. The five runners were presented with a cheque for £50. The winning design will be built this summer.

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