Rhodes Building Oriel College Oxford

Opening up the High Street Elevation

There is a strong link between the College and St Mary's Church which is not currently visible at ground level. Although the College presents an impressive facade to the High Street it is a closed facade. There is little indication on the street of the life of the College behind.
It is proposed to open up the existing arches at the ground floor and glaze them. This will increase the amount of light in the rooms and create views from the proposed offices of St Mary's Church.
Click here to see the existing High Street elevation.

Option One:
Shows the whole arch opened up with windows similar to those on the south elevation. This allows the best views through the building and is most reminiscent of the original architect's proposal to have an open arcade here.
Click here to see Option One.

Option Two
Shows the cills of the existing windows lowered.
This reduces the exposure of the College but it may actually be harder to justify the loss of the original windows and battered cill for a smaller change.
Click here to see Option Two.

Option Three
Shows the battered cill retained but the whole of the top area of the arch opened up and glazed. This involves less destruction of original fabric and provides more privacy for the College, whilst giving the appearance of opening up the facade onto the High Street.
Click here to see Option Three.

It would also possible to lower the cills of the windows in the East and West wings but theses windows would be right down to the floor and would require privacy screening in both the meeting room and the student study/bedrooms.

Issues:
- Loss of original fabric.
- Privacy.
- Open views through the building.
- Increased light levels.
- Earlier design concepts, e.g. arcaded loggia.

Solar Shading to the south elevation

The south elevation offices suffer from excessive heat gain. Three options of solar shading are being considered:

Option One:
A pergola and vines or similar shading plants.
Click here to see Option One.

Option Two
External awnings for solar shading.
Click here to see Option Two.

Option Three
External timber louvres.
Click here to see Option Three.

Issues:
- Impact on the building and the setting of other buildings.

Repairs and maintenance

There are areas of the building that are difficult to maintain. Where possible these will be designed out.

Proposed repair works include:
Copper roof coverings to be renewed
Stone slates to mansard roof slopes to be replaced.
Cast iron rainwater pipes to be replaced.
Storm water connections to be replaced.
Stone statues and other stone work to be repaired.
Overhaul all windows
Remove the old tanks in the roof.
Overhaul all services:
heating,
electricity,
data.
Remove asbestos
Renovate bedrooms removing inappropriate fitted furniture and redecorating to a good standard.


index