Hertford College Library Gains Planning
Oxford City Council have approved both Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission for MICA’s design proposals to restore and extend Hertford College Library.
Situated at the heart of the historic college and at the centre of Oxford’s historic core, this project provides a rare opportunity to create modern, high quality library, study and meeting spaces, whilst also improving the historic fabric, access and energy use. This project has been a collaborative and exciting opportunity to work with Hertford College and a broad skilled project team.
The works will improve and extend the library and archive facilities by increasing reader space and book storage provision, creating new meeting and seminar rooms, together with improved student support. The important archive will, for the first time, be consolidated into one centralised location and includes improvements to environmental conditions and security.
The designs reveal more of the history of the College by uncovering concealed elements of the Old Chapel and the southern part of the West Range, including celebrating the external elevation of the West Range. Essential repair works will also be carried out along this facade where stonework is in need of repair. The new building is topped by a new roof terrace affording spectacular views of the adjoining Hawksmoor All Souls College, the Bodleian Library and Gibbs’ Radcliffe Camera.
The following team have contributed key advice and design input to a complex and ambitious development for the college.
Project Manager : CPC Project Services LLP
Quantity Surveyor : Arcadis
Structural Engineer : Akt II
Building Services, Sustainability, Acoustic, Vertical Transportation & Fire Engineer: Hoare Lea
Planning Consultant : Carter Jonas
Heritage Consultant : Donald Insall Associates
Stuart Cade commented “We are delighted to see our Hertford Library design receive planning and listed building consent The scheme is a wonderful and exciting opportunity to create an innovative design solution for a much-needed facility for Hertford’s community at the historic heart of the College. Our design expands the Library’s space and function, providing diverse study facilities and storage whilst making the most of the extraordinary setting within central Oxford. We look forward to the next stages and the realisation of this important and exciting development.”
For more information on the project click here
