Residents and architects clash over Jericho’s Blavatnik School design

Residents and architects clash over Jericho's Blavatnik School design

6:00pm Wednesday 3rd April 2013 in News By Damian Fantato, covering Summertown, Jericho and North Oxford. Call me on 01865 425429

Buy this photo Visitors inspect the model of plans for the Blavatnik School Pictures: OX58226 Antony Moore

architects behind the controversial Blavatnik School of Government say they have want it to be seen and loved across Oxford.

But Jericho residents have described the Walton Street structure as something they wouldnt wish on Milton Keynes.

Plans have already been submitted by Oxford University but a public meeting was held in St Barnabas church last week to explain the buildings design.

Its height has already proved controversial and the fact that it is three metres taller than Carfax Tower and 26m high in total has been a frequent criticism. John OMara, from Swiss-based architectural firm Herzog & De Meuron, said: It is apparent that this building is visible from views like Raleigh Park but we wanted to engage with that visibility.

If we were to go over Carfax, which we do, we wanted to go over it with an identity, with a form. We expect this building to be seen, we want it to be seen and we want it to be appreciated.

The architects carefully studied views from Raleigh Park in North Hinksey, Boars Hill and Port Meadow and in all instances the top of the building can be seen in the distance. It has been recessed to prevent it from overwhelming what the architects describe as the civic scale of Walton Street.

But residents in both Divinity Road and London Place have objected to the plans because they fear the impact it would have on the views from South Park.

See the rest here:
Residents and architects clash over Jericho's Blavatnik School design