The Unity Centre in Northstowe has scooped two top industry awards, underlining its status as one of the region’s most sustainable and community-focused buildings.
The landmark community centre was named Best Low Carbon Building and secured the coveted People’s Choice Award at last week’s EastProp Awards, recognising both its outstanding environmental performance and the positive impact it is already having for residents. The annual EastProp Awards showcase the best of the East of England’s property industry.
All images on this page: With thanks to Alan Bennett Media Imaging Solutions
Delivered by South Cambridgeshire District Council, constructed by Kier, and now handed over to Northstowe Town Council for the benefit of the community, the Unity Centre has quickly established itself as an exemplar, modern facility.
A leading low carbon building
From the outset, the Unity Centre was designed by the District Council to minimise environmental impact while maximising long-term benefits for residents. It was constructed to combine Passive House principles for low operational carbon with low lifecycle carbon materials – all to achieve a net zero design. Built entirely from timber, the building combines Cross Laminated Timber panels with Glulam beams – a super-structural frame. The exterior is cladded with Shou Sugi Ban timber and zinc – both low carbon and low maintenance.
Other key environmental features include:
- Energy-efficient design that significantly reduces demand, including high levels of insulation and airtight construction.
- Low carbon heating systems, removing reliance on fossil fuels and helping to cut emissions.
- Solar panels generating renewable electricity on site – alongside a green roof .
- Sustainable materials carefully selected to reduce embodied carbon during construction.
- Natural light and ventilation, improving comfort while reducing energy use.
More than just a building, the Unity Centre provides a welcoming and flexible space for Northstowe’s growing community, offering rooms for meetings, events, activities and local services.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, Cllr Dr. Lisa Redrup, said: “We’re thrilled the Unity Centre has been recognised with these awards. This building shows what is possible when we put sustainability and community at the heart of design. It reduces carbon emissions, supports our environmental goals, and creates a fantastic space for local people. We’re proud to have constructed this in partnership with Kier and to handed it over to Northstowe Town Council as a lasting asset for the community.”
Tom Martin, Regional Director, Kier Construction Eastern and Midlands, commented: “The Unity Centre is a great example of what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation. We’re proud to have helped create a building that not only performs exceptionally in environmental terms but also serves the community in such a meaningful way.”
Following completion, the building has been formally handed over to Northstowe Town Council, which is now responsible for its day-to-day management and continued development as a community asset.
Cllr Carla Bros Sabrià, Mayor at Northstowe Town Council, added: “The Unity Centre stands as a transformative milestone for our town and has already become the heart of our community. Its sustainability and green design reflect Northstowe’s vision, recognised in these awards. The Town Council is proud to take on the responsibility of managing this building and looks forward to the opportunities it will create for the area.”
The Unity Centre was funded by:
- South Cambridgeshire District Council, who contributed £6.5 million.
- £2.2 million from the Northstowe Phase 1 developers, Urban&Civic.
- The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, who contributed £110,000 as part of the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
One of the District Councillors for Northstowe, Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, said: “From the moment we broke ground there was a determination to make this building as environmentally friendly as possible, while being somewhere residents would enjoy using and feel proud of. The consultations with residents while the building was being designed and built were robust – which meant the team created an iconic building that meets the needs of the community. The earlier temporary community centre gave us all the chance to consider Northstowe’s requirements for the Town Council, community groups, wellbeing sessions and meeting places - including offering space for a café which is very welcome by many. Residents and community groups were consulted, sustainability measures for building were applied, and the result speaks for itself. Well done team for the well-deserved awards!”
View all news