Waynflete Quad
Magdalen College, Oxford
The Waynflete site of Magdalen College is located on the southern bank of the river Cherwell in Oxford, opposite the main College and separated by historic water meadows. Working in collaboration with architects Stanton Williams – who are developing the student accommodation – our focus is on bringing the beauty and ecology of the surrounding context into the site.
We’re connecting and enhancing the river area, while mapping out the entire landscape for accessibility, carefully integrating accessible sloped routes rather than steps. The juxtaposition of a wild water habitat and the built environment makes this project very special.
Status
Work In Progress
Client
Architect
Structural & Civil Engineers
Eckersley O’Callaghan
M & E Engineers
etch Associates
Quantity Surveyor
GARDINER & THEOBALD LLP
Project Mangers
Bidwells
Main Contractor
Gilbert-Ash
CGI
Stanton Williams / SEED
Response to Site
The site sits within a conversation area, opposite the College’s Grade I listed park and garden. Our vision was to therefore layer the history of the site into our design, leaving echoes of the past rather than starting with a clean slate. We wanted to break down the abrupt edges between nature and the urban environment and reveal the hidden life of the river. By enhancing and bringing the river landscape right into the site, our hope is to help people to fully experience the spirit of the place.
Enhancing Habitats
A mature beech tree that must be removed during site demolition works became a key part of the landscape design. The tree is to be laid down in the woodland courtyard and allowed to naturally decompose over time. A small Acer tree planted next to it will grow, feeding from the nutrients in the soil given by the decomposing beech. This natural cycle of death sustaining life will be visible as a central feature of the courtyard.
Native river edge habitats are also being introduced along the canalised edges of the River Cherwell, incorporating kingfisher nests and otter lay-ups.
Materials In Use
Many of the historic buildings in Oxford have Purbeck floors, which inspired the landscape material palette. Purbeck pitches with frayed edges are laid adjacent to the planting pools, blurring the boundaries between hard and soft. Purbeck slabs provide the fully accessible route through the courtyard.
Creating Places to Live
Our brief was to create a fully accessible landscape; therefore, the levels have been designed so the whole site can be accessed via a gradient no steeper than 1:20. We wanted to allow the character of the River Cherwell to flow into the site in order to bring the students closer to nature and invite them to feel embedded in the sense of place.
