New College, Oxford has selected David Kohn Architects (DKA) to design a new quad following a private design competition A six-strong shortlist was asked to produce a masterplan and concept design for the College’s Savile Road site. The brief had the main aim of maximising accommodation potential for the College, whilst also addressing the needs of New College School which shares the site.
The New Quad development will honour the tradition of the Oxford quadrangle and take full advantage of a valuable but currently under-used part of New College’s estate.
Other finalists in the private invited competition, organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants, included Alison Brooks Architects, Gort Scott, Kengo Kuma and Associates, Lee / Fitzgerald Architects and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
Sir Curtis Price, Warden of New College, said:
‘This is a highly significant project for New College; it will release the potential of an important central Oxford site whilst at the same time creating a piece of striking architecture that will match the quality of the rest of the College – both timeless and sensitive to the environs. We are very pleased with the result. Practically, the project will move us closer to our objective of housing all of those undergraduates who wish to live in College accommodation for the entirety of their course.’
David Kohn, founder of DKA said,
‘We are absolutely delighted to be working with New College on such an extraordinary project. Our design approach seeks to combine buildings and landscape into a holistic vision. A series of three-sided south-facing quads embrace gardens that range in character from the convivial to the contemplative, reaffirming the institution’s relationship to nature.’
Malcolm Reading, competition organiser, said,
‘We selected a diverse, international shortlist for the College because we knew the design challenge was going to be testing. David’s scheme was the clear winner and he made a connection with the College and jury. It’s great to see him winning a project of real presence and scale.’
The College and School will now work with David Kohn Architects to develop the winning concept. Construction is due to begin in 2016.
