Wadham College

by AL_A

Client Wadham College

Award RIBA South Award 2024.

The architects have remastered the internal routes at Wadham College, Oxford through a twinset building in the campus’s heart. The new Access Centre perches at the top of the steps, opening onto an existing terrace while bridging from it; and linking two quads is the new Undergraduate Centre.

The College required that the new buildings, while adjoining, should have distinct identities, to respect two separate donors. The architects effortlessly addressed this challenge by using etched glass with two different yet complementary effects – a vertical motif with reflective back panels for the Access Centre, and horizontal pattern with more transparency for the Undergraduate Centre. While completely 'otherly' to the surrounding stone buildings, the material sits comfortably, gently reflecting its neighbours’ warm hues and stone markings. Through the bridged entrance where the two buildings converge, a red staircase and ramp stretch out to address the site’s changing levels, ensuring step-free access.

Contractor Beard Construction

Structural Engineer Arup

Environmental / M&E Engineer Arup

Acoustic Engineer Arup

Fire, Security, DDA Arup

Project Management Bidwells

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant Gleeds

Planning Consultant Turnberry

CDM Adviser Ridge

Facade Engineer Eckersley O’Callaghan

Landscape Designer Churchman Thirnhill Finch

Gross internal area 2250 m²