The Wolfson Building, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford

by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp

Client University of Oxford

Awards RIBA South Award 2021

The Wolfson Building3973Quintin LakeWEBIMAGE1jpg — © Quintin Lake

The building is on a congested, awkward, sloping site. It provides additional spaces for an existing facility and brings together a complementary research group.

There is a clear architectural form and simple palette of external materials: it is two stretched volumes either side of a central glazed circulation area sitting above a solid base. The façade build-up and detailing create a visually interesting yet simple appearance, whilst concealing the components of the natural ventilation system.

The internal spaces are generously lit with floor-to-ceiling windows, and offer extensive views to Oxford and beyond from the communal spaces. There is a mix of cellular and open plan spaces with shared meeting rooms and ancillary services down the central spine.

The ground floor transitions into a full basement due to the slope of the site. There are more public spaces at the front where full-height glazing can be utilised, with semi-basement private consultation rooms at the rear.

The Wolfson Building achieves a lot given the site constraints, including being respectful to the neighbouring cemetery and hospital uses.

Internal area 1,913.00 m²

Contractor SDC Builders Ltd

Structural Engineers Price and Myers

Environmental / M&E Engineers Hoare Lea

Project Manager CPC Project Services LLP

Cost Planner Currie and Brown

Town Planning JPPC Chartered Town Planners

Vertical Transport D2E

Acoustic Engineers Hoare Lea

Traffic IMA Transport Planners

Accessibility University Estates Services