The Queen´s College: Dining Facilities
The Queen´s College has been quoted by Nicholas Pevsner as "the grandest piece of classical architecture in Oxford". The extension and modernisation of dining and catering facilities has uncovered previously hidden architectural features - now incorporated within the design.
A basement kitchen has been provided by excavating under a Grade I listed building and the Back Quad; to do this the building has required complex underpinning.
Arches believed to have been designed by Hawksmoor, found during demolition works, create a dramatic architectural feature within the new servery.
The Queen´s College: Dining Facilities
On the first floor a new double height Fellows dining room is inserted into the void between the existing Dining Hall and the south range of Back Quad. The external walls of these buildings form part of the interior. Full length roof lights retain light levels to the dining hall and enable uninterrupted views of the former facades. A large semi-circular window (thought to be designed by Hawksmoor) make an impressive historical statement in the new design.
Modern interventions have been used to create more efficient space while respecting the original historic building fabric. A glazed volume containing a disabled lift provides the main circulation space between the ground floor and first floor Fellows dining rooms. The transparency of this volume retains the view to the existing stained glass window beyond.
The Queen´s College: Dining Facilities
All services have been replaced to meet environmental health regulations.
Client: The Queen´s College Oxford
Completion: 2010
Contract Value: £4.8m
