Mikhail Riches were invited to explore a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ strategic estate assessment and masterplan, providing a new gatehouse, 196 new student rooms, and additional ancillary rooms; designed in a way which builds on the college’s reputation – all within a highly sensitive historic setting.

We developed a scheme at various scales, from masterplan to individual room layouts, which prioritised social inclusion & belonging as a golden thread. Using Passivhaus design strategies, the scheme is assured the level of both thermal comfort and quiet needed for study. A new gatehouse helps form three new quads of different character, with the first acting as a new ‘threshold’ between Oxford and the College.