This week, the Queen’s College released a shortlist of six architects competing to secure a refurbishment project for its Grade II listed Florey building, which houses the college’s freshers.
The forty year-old building is regarded as a fine example of post-modern architecture, and was recently selected by the Guardian as one of the top ten student residences in the world, but has fallen into disrepair. The consultancy firm Malcolm Reading has been selected to run the competition.
Substantial refurbishment to the building is required, and an expansion of capacity is planned from 79 residents to 100. According to the competition brief, a successful application, “Must balance respect for Stirling’s original vision with a high-quality upgrade of fabric and services. It must also address the wider site area for the inclusion of new accommodation, social and modern facilities as well as improving and refreshing the overall setting.”
Malcolm Reading, chief organiser of the competition, spoke to Cherwell. “The 1960’s and early 1970’s saw a significant boom in new architecture on educational estates in the UK…Many of these buildings were ambitious in form and construction. The materials – concrete, brick, patent glazing and felt roofs – were unforgiving in use and susceptible to poor maintenance.”
“The Florey Building presents many technical problems but there are advances in glass and insulation technology that give us a great deal of confidence that the building can be made to perform to current standards, whilst maintain its unique social and architectural aspects.”
All of the architects shortlisted have had experience in renovating high-profile twentieth century buildings. Malcolm Reading comments, “We are delighted by the quality of response to our call for expressions of interest. These teams are highly seasoned, astute practices who are in their prime.”
The winner of the competition will be announced in 2014. Alfred Burton, President of Queen’s College JCR, is excited about the project. “I have lived in the Florey building, and found it as memorable as Tony Abbott, who mentioned it in a speech last year. The all-absorbing cork floors and flaking paint show that it is need of a thorough revamp of decoration and fittings and I agree that this is in the best interest of all students at Queen’s.
“I helped to show the shortlisted architects round Florey today, and am confident that they will produce imaginative designs that will transform the building into one of the best halls of residence in Oxford.”
