The team prepared a conservation management plan and feasibility study and our subsequent scheme reduced planned repairs to preserve the building’s listed fabric, releasing funds for a high-performance 130-seat lecture theatre and archive and an extra floor of student rooms at roof level.

We provided access to the lecture theatre, green room, public toilets, break out space and server. In addition a new level pathway was introduced linking the quad with other accessible areas of the college.

The new lecture theatre was inserted into an existing space. It provides a 130-seat multipurpose space to allow for speeches and acoustic music.

The lecture theatre has 100 fixed seats with flexible space for 30 removable seats. An AV link was set up to an external theatre and a break out room where the event in the lecture theatre can be projected.

Our design approach achieved significant savings were achieved in relation to cladding and space planning issues related to the archive and other spaces.

The most important aspect of sustainability was the thermal upgrading of the building. We also introduced heat recovery ventilation, roof insulation and double-glazed windows as a replacement for the single-glazing.

The demands of the brief were adeptly balanced to ensure that the limited budget was most effectively put to work. Crucial funding was attracted from Christ Church’s alumni by the inventive incorporation of the new lecture theatre.

Location: Christ Church, Oxford
Client: The Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford
Listing status: Grade II*
Funding: Private with support from Christ Church alumni