Brasenose College, Oxford, New Buildings

Abstract

The site chosen for the new blocks was the space behind the existing building, close to Lincoln College. This ground consists of a wide plot, of 18.28 ms by 18.28 ms, plus a rectangle of 33.52 ms by 10.66 ms. The surrounding buildings are in Gothic and Georgian style, and have a mean height of 11 ms. In the wider zone a building of four storeys has been constructed, with a terrace, and it includes 25 rooms. The surrounding view and the irregular outline of the neighbouring buildings has notably influenced the choice of shape for this block. A rigid rectangular shape has been avoided, and a kind of serrated outline has been achieved, by treating each room individually, and providing each of them with oblique and limited views of the surrounding buildings. To do this windows have been fitted to more than one wall of each room: one of them looks out over the magnificent north scenery, whilst the other lets in the sun. In the narrow zone it became impossible to accommodate a tall building. Hence a number of one storey pavillions have been erected, housing one or two bedrooms each, seven in all. Access to the rooms is along small entrance porches, whilst at the back they open onto small private gardens. The high standard of attention to detail in all the installations and services contributes to the comfort of the rooms and makes this into comfortable and pleasant living quarters for the students who occupy them.