Two Tess Boatyard Shortlisted for the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2025

We are thrilled to announce that our Two Tess Boatyard development at 70 Water Street, Cambridge, has been shortlisted for the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2025!



This project has transformed a once disused and dilapidated site into three sustainable, riverfront family homes, blending thoughtful design with environmental resilience.

Revitalising a Historic Cambridge Site

Located in Chesterton, just off Water Street and near Cambridge North railway station, the site enjoys south-facing views over the River Cam and Stourbridge Common.

Historically, this site was a boatyard, with boathouses and workshops dating back to the early 1900s. While the riverfront boathouses added character, the northern section—previously occupied by workshops and 1980s portacabins—had fallen into disrepair, detracting from the Water Street streetscape.

Our design approach was inspired by local boathouse architecture, featuring a series of long gable forms that echo the site's industrial past. The homes’ principal outlook faces the river, with recessed gable openings providing both privacy and natural shading.

Flood-Resilient Design

With the site spanning flood zones 2 and 3, careful planning and early collaboration with Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and the Environment Agency were crucial. The design incorporates key flood mitigation measures, including:

✔ Positioning the buildings in the lowest flood-risk area along Water Street.
✔ Raising floor levels above the 1-in-100-year predicted flood level, with additional climate change allowances.
✔ Underfloor flood voids to allow controlled water ingress, preventing water displacement.
✔ Flood-resilient construction with raised electrics and durable finishes to safeguard against extreme events.

These measures ensure the development is both safe and future-proof, balancing sustainability with resilience.

Sustainable, Low-Carbon Living

A key priority for the client was integrating renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. Each home features:

🌿 Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
🌿 Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
🌿 4.8 kWp Solar Panels & Battery Storage

These systems, combined with high-performance building fabric, result in exceptionally low running costs and a near net-zero energy demand. The homes achieved an outstanding SAP rating of 99 (A), demonstrating their high energy efficiency and sustainable performance.

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Enhancing the Riverfront & Community Spaces

Beyond individual homes, the development preserves and enhances the character of the riverfront by:

🏡 Retaining existing boathouses, maintaining the area’s historic charm.
🏡 Ensuring open views to the river, respecting the outlook of neighbouring properties.
🏡 Creating a shared communal garden, fostering a sense of community and outdoor connection.

Inside, the homes were designed to maximise natural light and provide expansive river views, offering a peaceful yet modern living environment.

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A Commitment to Quality & Small-Scale Development

A huge thank you to everyone who played a role in this project, especially Julian and Inti Construction. As a local developer and contractor, they could have taken a cost-driven approach, but instead, they prioritized quality, sustainability, and innovation, delivering three exceptional family homes.

All units sold swiftly, reflecting the demand for high-quality, sustainable housing in Cambridge.

However, this project also highlights a growing challenge—the decline of small-scale brownfield developments in Cambridge. Over the past decade, minor housing applications have halved, making it harder for SME developers to remain viable.

These smaller projects play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, innovative homes, making efficient use of existing infrastructure while contributing to Cambridge’s unique character. Further support is essential to sustain this important sector.

As a small architectural practice, we remain deeply committed to working alongside local developers to create sustainable, well-designed homes that enhance our city.

👉 Learn more about the project here: https://www.nparchitects.co.uk/portfolios/two-tees-boatyard-cambridge/