Mansfield College Quad
The gardens at Mansfield College sit between a range of Grade II* Gothic revival buildings completed by Basil Champneys in 1889. The grassed quad sits centrally, with a oval path surround previously used for the parking of cars for students and staff. MICA have reinstated the formal nature of the quadrangle with a central elliptical grassed area, and a gravel garden walkway.Client
Mansfield College
Location
Oxford
Dates
2006–2018
Team
Jeremy Rye - Planting
The pathway connects the main entrance of the new Hands Building via gently sloping routes across the quad to the new East Range sunken outdoor terrace. The sunken terrace space adds public amenity with minimal impact to the historic setting.
Long views across the quad to the Chapel are also re-instated, better connecting the new buildings to their surroundings. These views were previously obstructed by overgrown hedging and parked cars and so through both the building and surrounding landscaping the College campus have become better connected.
Natural planting has a traditional feel, made of layers of foliage and flower texture and colour which softens the edges of the new elements with the old. The initial layer is a lower growing evergreen mix with for example Lavender planted in drifts. The second layer is more architectural with open flower heads such as Agapanthus, planted in areas, and the final layer is a single species infrequently dotted through the rest to provide anchor points for the eye.
Members of the public are able to walk into the quad to appreciate the fine listed buildings and landscaping as well as use the communal cafe and terrace. The street setting of the college is improved with reference to the boundary planting and railings, and access is improved with new accessible lit walkways. The college is founded on principles of openness and inclusiveness and these values were integral to the design of the series of communal spaces within and their connection to the landscape.
