Reuben College

Additions include contemporary library facilities open to all Bodleian readers; refurbished spaces for communal dining, interdisciplinary collaboration and event spaces; and a new museum – the Collections Teaching and Research Centre (CTRC), which provides high-quality storage for the University’s collections and facilitates collections-based teaching, research and engagement. 

The project is one of the largest decarbonisation and decontamination projects for the University of Oxford and has seen the intricate task of removing over 800 tons of asbestos-contaminated materials and three pints of mercury from the Grade II listed buildings.

One of the primary objectives of the project was to reveal many of the Radcliffe Science Library’s original finishes that have lain hidden under successive internal fitouts. The existing bookcases and wall panelling in the original library were carefully restored and retained, forming an important link between the library’s past and the new Reuben College and contributing to the unique character of the college.

Making heritage buildings sustainable is often as important as preserving their history and helps to ensure that they are comfortable and well used. The original buildings with their large windows already benefited from good natural daylight and ventilation but had thin, single glazing and were poorly sealed and therefore had poor thermal performance. Secondary glazing enabled the windows to be upgraded while exposing the original details and maintaining their original means of operation. In addition, all the roofs where thermally upgraded and new energy efficient mechanical and electrical services fitted throughout. These measures not only improved the thermal and environmental performance of the building, they also help to extend the useful life of the building and protect the important heritage fabric.