A seminal Modernist building, Blue Boar Quad is a hall of residence designed for Christ Church in 1968 by acclaimed British architects Powell & Moya. Since its completion, the building has been plagued by leaking roofs, cracking cladding and services failure. The practice was appointed as architects and lead consultants to repair, refurbish and extend the Quad to provide a new lecture theatre, extra student accommodation, en suite bathrooms, new archive facilities and disabled access.
At the outset, the team was faced with a number of challenges. The Quad was put forward for Grade II* listed status and a pre-existing scheme was found to be costly, invasive and unlikely to gain planning permission. The practice was asked to find a solution that would improve the building's performance, maximize space, create development opportunities and gain statutory approval.
The team prepared a conservation management plan and feasibility study, concluding that repairs should be reduced to safeguard the listed fabric and release funds for new facilities, including a high-performance 130-seat lecture theatre and archive. An additional floor of student rooms was created at roof level in an innovative yet discreet intervention. The practice's key achievement was to ensure that the budget was used most effectively to maximize the building's value.