CORPUS CHRISTI AUDITORIUM, Oxford
for Rick Mather Architects
A discretely integrated auditorium at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, designed for lectures, performances, and formal events while preserving the historic college gardens and 13th-Century bastion of the city wall.
The college required a multi-purpose auditorium to support lectures, seminars, music and drama performances and formal events.
The design needed to:
- Maximise functionality in a compact footprint.
- Protect the historic setting, which includes a 13th-century city wall and bastion.
- Maintain open green space by integrating the new structure into the landscape.
The Challenge
The site presented complex constraints as part of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a Registered Garden and a Conservation Area. The challenge was to introduce a high-performance auditorium while ensuring minimal visual impact on the historic surroundings.
The proposal resulted in a building that mett all the needs of the brief while increasing the garden space by wrapping the registered garden over the top ofthe new auditorium.
- Subtle integration – The building is embedded within the bastion, keeping the historic setting intact.
- Framing key views – A skylight above the theatre provides a view of Christ Church Cathedral, while a large picture window looks out onto the college gardens.
- Green roof terrace – The college gardens extend over the top, creating an outdoor space with views over Christ Church Meadow and the river.
- Efficient use of space – The auditorium accommodates up to 136 people for lectures, reconfigures for round-table discussions and adapts for banquets and college events.
Why This Project Stands Out
This project delivers a modern, flexible venue while preserving the character of the college. Thoughtful design ensures that the historic surroundings remain undisturbed, while the new facility adds to the college’s academic and social spaces.