The Rhodes Building on Oxford’s High Street, has an exceedingly subtle presence, but we have had the pleasure of being able to an extra storey on a grade 2* listed building – almost unheard of conservation-heritage circles.  MBA has carefully researched, and executed the work successfully, providing a new window onto the building, whilst at the same time looking over its precursor’s shoulder.

Oriel College Chapel’s grade 1 listed barrel vaulted ceiling is now visually subject to gravity with trompe l’oeil quadrants to suggest coffer or casket vaults between its timber ribs. This simple perspective technique suggests space beyond, and was much loved in the 17th century. The photo looks up at the first panels to be exposed to view from ground level, at the east end.

Marcus Peel has made some great photographs of an MBA project in London, including the moon rising above a Brutalist garden elevation with a sculpture by a distinguished South African artist deliberately challenging the Vitruvian-Michaelangelo man. MBA approves of this sculpture. The hand is held short of the circle, by a woman. This set of photographs records a particularly successful relationship between architect and client to make the ultimate family home.

The copper roof for the conservation-heritage project at Oriel College’s Rhodes building in Oxford is being laid. This involves many critical details of – literally – folded metal, covered up almost as soon as it is laid, which will be unveiled as a shiny, crystalline form in late summer 2014.

MBA’s designs for 7 new houses to replace Rosemary Lodge nursing home were granted planning permission in March 2014. MBA were appointed by Wimbledon Guild to design a residential redevelopment after the home became redundant. The new houses will be constructed in 2015.