Oxford Architects News
New Projects, Ideas and Directions from OA
So, 2021 starts with a new optimism and the same old lockdown. The return to work after the Christmas break is very promising and both Studios remain busy with existing and new projects. Our staff are doing a great job working (mostly) from home and continue to minimise any disruption the current situation tries to impose on us. Exciting new commissions lie ahead of us and we’re delighted to showcase a selection of interesting current projects below:
Summer Fields School Chapel Refurbishment
OA are happy to say that the latest phase in the New Room Project at Summer Fields School has just completed. Credit to Edgar Taylor, the client and the Design Team for a successful and sympathetic piece of work on the school Chapel. The work involved new a floor, heating, lighting and general redecoration to de-clutter and modernise the space, including the bespoke construction of new pews and kneelers to increase the seating capacity.
Horton General Hospital
A&E Department
Working collaboratively with Beard Construction in a live Hospital environment, this fast track Design and Build contract has introduced new Majors Bays whilst also separating the adult and paediatric spaces within the Horton General Hospital A&E department. Starting the design in September 2020 and completing on site before Christmas 2020, Oxford Architects have
worked collaboratively with the
Client and the Clinical team, Main Contractor and Design Team.

Planning Permission Granted for R4, RAL, Harwell
The major extension and refurbishment comprises of the addition of three new internal floors, raising the roof of the eastern half approximately 1.8m, two new stair cores and over cladding to improve the thermal properties of the building. An additional c. 900sqm of much needed workshop, laboratory and office accommodation will be provided to support the world leading research and development work undertaken at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Haysfield School on Site
Despite Covid restrictions work has started at this Secondary School in Bath. The new extension is located on a steep slope connected to the main school by an external bridge. The contemporary façade is built with Bath stone and glass integrating the new annex into the fabric of the building. The lower level extension to the dining room opens up onto an external terrace. We are enhancing the ecology locally with bird and bat boxes, fruit trees, a wildflower meadow and a sedum roof.
Unit DY Laboratories
We are excited to be involved in the construction of the new incubator facility for #ScienceCreates following our work for them at Unit DX. Working with SAC Construction
we are converting an existing warehouse into 10,000sqft of bio
and engineering laboratories, 10,000sqft offices and 5,00sqft
of meeting rooms. Work on site started in November 2020 and is due
to be complete in September 2021.
Three New Passivhaus Standard Houses
Work is progressing well with our three new Passivhaus standard houses in Middleton Stoney for the CDC Build! Team. Despite the global issues and a very wet site the project is currently on programme and due to complete late April. Credit to the client, design team and the contractor (Edgar Taylor) for
keeping it all on target.
Hanover House Planning Consent Granted
Hanover House is an eight storey,
90 dwelling apartment block. The existing cladding fails to meet current fire safety standards. Working closely with Project Managers, Ridge and our clients, design build contractors, Art Contracts Ltd, Oxford Architects developed proposals to replace the existing cladding with a system of the required limited combustibility. 
Enabling works started on site in December 2020 with completion
due July 2021.
Reading West Achieves Planning
Plans have been approved for Reading West Station by the Borough Council with the one-year project potentially starting as early as March this year. This follows discussions between the Council, Great Western Railway and Network Rail. These designs show a brand new station building with a distinctive brick and glass exterior. The footpath immediately in front of the new station building has also been widened to make access easier for both passengers using the station, and for pedestrians walking past. New ticket gates at both the Tilehurst Road and Oxford Road entrances, CCTV, toilets, a
retail facility and better waiting areas, will all combine to significantly improve the customer experience and security at Reading West. The project is funded by Local Growth Funding from Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Section 106 funding secured by Reading Borough Council and funding from GWR through its Stations Improvement Fund.