The H B Allen Centre achieves High Commendation in Planning Awards 2020

MICAs work at The H B Allen Centre received High Commendation in the Award for design excellence category, which was announced on the 8th September 2020 via a digital awards ceremony.

The H B Allen Centre is a multi-faceted amenity for Keble College and the first complete new 21st century Oxford College complex. The design brings together an innovative mix of uses that support research graduates from study, to nurturing start-ups to employment.

Maximising the precious site, the scheme provides 250 graduate student bedrooms, much needed in the centre of the university city. The brief expanded to encompass a research hotel for visiting academics, an expansive tech start-up incubator, teaching and research spaces, conference facilities, a café, common rooms, leisure amenities and extensive external landscape. All this is housed within 1.7 hectares in the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area, built around and beneath the Grade II listed Acland House by TG Jackson.

The project team collaborated to provide the best value for the budget, considering longevity and flexibility to ensure the spaces retain value through future adaptability, while remaining relevant to the needs of the College and community. The building has proven overwhelmingly successful with the students and academics who occupy it: social spaces are lively; every room is filled; research and incubation is underway.

"The competition was especially high this year and it is a real accomplishment to be awarded a High Commendation."

- Judges' comments

To read more about the project click here

To view the construction of the H B Allen Centre visit Kebles Archive click here