Like the main College buildings fronting Beaumont Street, this building forms a threshold between the private world of the College garden and the city outside.

The theme of an unfolding landscape experience characterises Worcesterıs garden. When approaching from within the College grounds, the serpentine lake seems to lead the visitor towards the new building which appears as an island.

The scheme is conceived as a community of rooms set in groups around kitchens. The glazed cabinet-like quality of the kitchens is intended to create an open, sociable atmosphere in the shared parts of the buildings. In contrast, the bed-sitting rooms are designed for visual and acoustic privacy.

'This light and joyful building makes several contributions to its setting and its occupants. It generates a sequence of spaces and framed views along the primary, diagonal axis of movement, which both reveal the buildingıs organising geometry and enhance a sensual sequence from street to magical parkland. It forms a romantic focus at the end of the lake and actively integrates water and building through the disposition of terraces, ramps and routes. It reinterprets the traditional Oxbridge "staircase" and invents marvellously detailed sets of study bedrooms. The incredibly difficult task of successfully placing a new building in such a special setting has here been met with architectural distinction.' Civic Trust Awards 1984

Client Worcester College, Oxford
Completion 1983
Cost £1.1m

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