Oxford: New state-of-the-art student accommodation

Students at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, are set to enjoy some first-class accommodation following the completion of a new £3.4 million 63-bedroom facility.

Work finished last month on the refurbishment of The Jackson Building and The Hugh Oldham Building at the College, and the first students are now set to move in.

The buildings have been refurbished to ensure they are sympathetic to the original architects’ designs while still providing a modern and energy-efficient building.

Bidwells worked alongside Berman Guedes Stretton architects, Vector Design, Peter Brett Associates and Capita to design the scheme and with Benfield and Loxley to carry out the works.

Peter Moore, project manager for Bidwells, said: “We were very pleased to be chosen to act as the project managers on this major refurbishment of these iconic and historic buildings for the prestigious Corpus Christi College.

“The project had a number of significant challenges, including working with a very poor original build quality and unforeseen structural issues.

“But despite the setbacks, the scheme was completed on time, to a high standard of finish and the final result is some of the finest accommodation available for students, set within a much-improved sustainable building.”

Key highlights of the refurbishment included the preservation and inclusion of formerly hidden features, a doubling of the onsite cycle parking provision, the creation of a bright, spacious and flexible garden with an integral performance area and energy cost-saving sustainable buildings.

The Jackson Building and The Oldham Building were formally known as the Annex Building and the New Building/Powell and Moya Building respectively.