Oxford Brookes Teaching and Workshop Buildings at Headington Hill Campus

APD Architecture’s new teaching centre and specialised workshop on Oxford Bookes Headington Hill Campus are welcome developments in the Universities pledge to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Photos
Mark Excell

APD Architecture have delivered two welcome additions to Headington Hill conservation site; an Oxford Brookes campus that surrounds the Grade II listed Headington Hill Hall. A new teaching building and a specialist workshop are for the use of all students and were crucial developments in the Universities plans to connect the Headington Hill campus with the Clive Booth Student Village and Gipsy Lane sites, increasing walkability.

Designed around a central atrium with a staircase connecting the three floors, the new teaching building includes several public use aspects, including a cafe, exhibition area, digital theatre and an immersive VR cave. The digital theatre and media suite have a public entrance in the foyer.

The workshop is a specialist building supporting mechanical engineering courses, with industry-standard manufacturing workshops, a wind tunnel and engine test cells. The zinc-clad exterior reflects the form of the gables of the adjacent Headington Hall, and perforation is used to mitigate visual impact of hidden louvred ventilation.

A unique highlight is the display of Formula 1 racing cars, supporting in-depth learning in suspension, chassis design, and aerodynamics.

Oxford Brookes University has committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2024. The two new buildings are another step towards a consolidated University Campus that was previously spread widely across different sites. A ‘fabric first approach’ has minimised primary energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Glen Moses, Project Director at ADP says, “The University’s vision was clear: the project presented a unique opportunity to reimagine the organisation of academic activities by bringing together a wide range of ‘making’ practices into an iconic new building and a complementary workshop space—designed with trans-disciplinary collaboration as a defining principle.”

APD is an employee-owned architecture practice, founded 60 years ago. A certified B Corporation, their buildings advocate for thriving communities that create a positive impact on the broader challenges faced by the architecture industry.