New Auditorium, Corpus Christi College Oxford

Rick Mather Architects' Auditorium for Corpus Christi College in Oxford receives planning permission no larger image The new much enlarged auditorium will replace the existing music room and is considered the most important building to be constructed on site in over 300 years. The building site lies in the southwest corner of the college within a Bastion of the 13th century City wall. The tall medieval stonewalls separate the site from Christ Church Meadows to the south and the Cathedral to the west. The existing Music Room on the site will be demolished and the ground level excavated to just above the level of the Christ Church gardens on the other side of the ancient city wall. The new flexible space will accommodate: 150 people for lectures and dramatic/ music performances, conference facilities, banquets for 60-120 diners and college dances. A skylight above the theatre gives views up to Christ Church Cathedral, and a large picture window opposite gives views back to the trees of the College gardens. The scheme also provides for a roof garden, with views over Christ Church Meadow to the river. Detailed design is currently underway and it is hoped that construction will commence in July 2008. Corpus Christi College Oxford info from Rick Mather Architects 191207