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OUR CONCEPTOxford Station Area Design CompetitionKey principles of the concept with diagram(s) as appropriate
A new Oxford Station.
Oxford is changing and much of this new focus hinges around the new
station and it's associated benefits. Stations are important civic buildings
and should be destinations in their own right and in-turn successful pieces
of a city. The Oxford station area has significant potential for a much
improved interchange and a wider improvements to an attractive, green
and historically significant part of the city.
Our proposal creates a sensitive yet impactful mixed use development
around a new station and new city square. The station creates a new
destination at the head of the Frideswides Square whilst also establishing
routes west and north. Spaces and streets are defined by new place-
making buildings including the station entrances, a new hotel and 13 other
new buildings.
The new south-facing public space has a tapering form, orientated to the
south and leading to routes to the north. The station entrance located
at the southern tip, denoted by a clocktower, and combines a new civic
building with active ground floor uses such as cafes and restaurants.
In tandem with framing a new square, the existing connection to the Botley
Road underpass has been widened to achieve a pleasant, active and safe
environment under the railway bridge(s) and connecting the west of the
city to the centre.
To the south a new and enlivened Becket Street will provide the vehicular
component of the interchange and is further enriched with commercial and
small retail & commercial units. The buildings provide an improved setting
for St. Thomas the Martyr. Beyond Becket Street extends and connects
to the Thames, Osney and south Oxford reinforcing a complete ‘green’
route through this edge of Oxford.
Views in this part of Oxford are important and the proposals are carefully
configured to be invisible from Boars Hill and Port meadow whilst being
mindful of closer views including the Thames bridge on Botley Road.
A new city square for Oxford.
Our proposals aim to create the station and its surrounds as a destination
and new amenity for Oxford. The new square, an extension of St.
Frideswides Square, is defined by a new station clocktower and entrance;
a new cloister, a station hotel and a new frontage and better connection
to the Said Business School. The buildings that define the new space
are generous, active and offer a variety of uses. The buildings are low
& medium scale to avoid impact on the skyline whilst simultaneously
providing high-level roof terraces and views across the skyline of Oxford.
As a large and flexible south-facing open space the square will be suitable
for a variety of events and uses. The space will be softened with a water
feature and planting extending the wider landscape into the space.
From the square a new route is promoted north to a new 'crescent'; the
Sheepwash channel and to Port Meadow and the Thames beyond.
The increased Botley Road underpass gives priority to pedestrians
and cyclists and has a generous connection to the new square further
extending the high quality public realm.
// Gateway buildings close down vista to west side of Frideswide square and tapering of new frontage draws people to new public square and station entrance connecting civic spaces
Improved pedestrian routes across the site
Additional route through
underpass
Imp
rove
d c
on
ne
cti
on
New public spaces
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OUR CONCEPTOxford Station Area Design CompetitionKey principles of the concept with diagram(s) as appropriate
Bus
ines
s S
tart
ups
Tran
spor
t Hub
Centred on a new station.
Our proposals aim to create the station as a new urban centre for Oxford
and an important gateway into and out of the centre. A truly mixed use
square of station entrance, shops, cafes, hotels, connecting to office,
employment and new homes. It is a great tradition in Oxford buildings to
define open spaces and landscapes and an important here where new
buildings should create high quality public realm as well as vastly improve
the entrance for rail visitors to the city.
The approach is holistic and aims to join up development for an overall
improvement to this area of Oxford. New vistas, squares and enlivened
streets are central to our proposals. Spaces and entrances are defined
by new landmarks, clocktowers and taller elements to define routes and
frame spaces.
Taken together the developments and variety of routes will extend the city
centre west – focussed around the square and the station gateway.
Bus
ines
s S
tart
ups
Regeneration of area - Mixed use across site proposed
Com
mer
cial
Com
mer
cial
Com
mer
cial
New
Pub
lic S
pace
New
Pub
lic S
quar
e
New
Pub
lic S
quar
e
Res
iden
tial
Res
iden
tial
Tran
spor
t Hub
Com
mer
cial
Com
mer
cial
Hot
el
Ret
ail
Ret
ail
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MATERIALSOxford Station Area Design Competitionb. Discussion of materials and colour palette
All our projects are carefully designed with hard wearing materials in mind,
allowing easy maintenance and / or efficient replacement and repair. If due
care is taken getting the design and configuration of the spaces right, both
inside and outside, there is little need for elaborate and complicated details.
Which are heavy on maintenance, and low on lifespan. We apply this
approach in all our work, by prioritising and carefully vetting specifications,
our buildings are both durable and value for money.
Working in Oxford, we have been set briefs for and delivered buildings with
800 year design lives. An informed and practical approach to long term
maintenance and life cycle costs is inherent in our work. Our architecture
makes strong connections with inside and outside. By using orientation
and articulation intelligently, it allows the interior and exterior finishes to be
enduring, simply constructed and designed. If the balance of solid and void
is carefully managed, great effect and value for money can be achieved
by the careful orientation of spaces to exploit light and views. Similarly by
developing a language from a “kit of parts” the maximum flexibility and
variety can be achieved by careful and considered design.
The material treatment of the proposals will balance the aspirations for a
civic quality to the public realm and engineering and “kit of parts” driven
solutions for the station infrastructure. By juxtaposing these elements, a rich
and complementary materials palette would be developed.
Typically, public realm facing buildings and frontages would be of more sold
masonry type finishes, matching the colour tones of the city, in stone, brick
or coloured precast concrete. These would be designed to complement
and merge with the language of the transfer deck and station canopies
and furniture. The transfer deck could be expressed in flush finished steel
work giving a sleek and elegant appearance and the station canopies and
infrastructure could consist of a palette, mixing precast concrete steel and
glazed elements. The palette would be developed such that the materials
were true to the elements they express while at the same time working
together as a coherent whole.
Civic Materials
Structural Materials Suggested material finishes for building types and public realm - simple, contemporary, robust.
5
PROTECTED VIEWSOxford Station Area Design Competitionc. How the ideas can enhance the skyline and respect the protected view cones.
OXFORD STATION MASTERPLAN | Masterplan DOCUMent
Han
s K
reb
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er
The
mai
n gr
oup
of h
igh
build
ings
, (St
Mar
y’s
Chu
rch,
Rad
cliff
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amer
a &
Tom
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Chi
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ell F
arm
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North Oxford suburb City centre
St B
arna
bus
St P
hilip
and
St
Jam
es
Radc
liffe
Obs
erva
tory
Nuf
field
Col
lege
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le C
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Wes
ley
Mem
oria
l M
etho
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Chu
rch
Nat
ural
His
tory
Mus
eum
vieW frOM bOars hill
Boars Hill is a hamlet southwest of Oxford. The vantage point from here is over 4.8km of green and wooded country.
Big, green pastural setting with fields rolling down the hillside to the city centre in the river valley creates a remote focus with no intervening developments visible. Further down Chilswell Farm Cottages form part of the historical rural landscape and provide a reference for perspective.
The main group of high buildings, representing medieval and post-medieval Colleges and University, forms a prominent cluster in the east that isn’t challenged by other groups of high buildings. Together they form a ‘pyramid’ rising to the tallest point at St Mary’s Church. The Radcliffe Camera, Tom Tower and St Mary’s form a ‘three graces’ group that is an instantly recognisable image of Oxford. The City centre is spread out with Oxford Castle and Nuffield College at western extremity.
North Oxford suburb softened by tree canopy with Georgian and Victorian Spires and other high buildings indicates the 18th, 19th and early 20th century extension of the city and University to the north. It highlights the city’s role within the development of both science and religion. Big, white rectilinear structures of Engineering and Hans Kreb Towers distract from the architectural elegance of the other high buildings.
Distant ‘blue’ wooded hills provide a backdrop to the view.
the masterplan site is away from the view cone and below the skyline. potential development would not adversely affect the view.
Prop
osed
Sta
tion
hidd
en
behi
nd g
reen
fiel
ds
Chi
lsw
ell F
arm
Cot
tage
s
Diagram illustrating an approximate impact of the proposed Station on the Oxford View from Boars Hill (based on information form Oxford City Council Heritage and Specialist Services Team)
Oxford View from Boar Hill
Boars Hill View Cone
Page
45
OXFORD STATION MASTERPLAN | Masterplan DOCUMent
raleigh parK
Approximately 1km from Oxford Station, Raleigh Park is a sloping area of mainly grassland in North Hinksey. The height of the park offers views out to the Northeast of Oxford. Trees in the park frame the view to the city centre.
Osney Mead extends right across the framed area of the view.
Trees lower down the hill, along the Hinksey Stream and surrounding fields in the Thames Valley, help obscure Osney Mead, but also hide the meadows and rivers that are part of the historic foreground.
Historic high buildings, spread across the framed area of the city centre are seen against the green backcloth of Headington Hill, contributing to their prominence and providing a green setting that defines the extent of the historic city centre. The University and Christ Church groupings of high buildings are particularly notable for the juxtaposition of attractive historic structures rising above the city rooftops.
The large, white, rectilinear structure of the John Radcliffe Hospital is prominently located behind the high buildings resulting in a major negative impact on the architectural character of the view and the sense of Oxford in its green setting. Large commercial buildings with extensive shallow-pitched roofs create a plateau of undistinguished big, modern rooftops in the foreground that blur the definition of the historic city centre and compete for prominence with the historic high buildings.
the masterplan site is outside the key view cone focus and potential development would not adversely effect the view to the city.
3.7 iMpOrtant vieWs
John
Rad
cliff
e H
ospi
tal
The
Uni
vers
ity g
roup
ing
The
Chr
ist
Chu
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grou
ping
Nor
th H
inks
ey v
illag
e
Prop
osed
Sta
tion
hidd
en b
ehin
d tr
ees
Oxford View from Raleigh Park
Diagram illustrating an approximate impact of the proposed Station on Oxford View from Raleigh Park (based on information form Oxford City Council Heritage and Specialist Services Team)
Raleigh Park View Cone
Page
46
City centre
OXFORD STATION MASTERPLAN | Masterplan DOCUMent
sOUth parK
South Park is located on Headington Hill. It is the largest park within Oxford city limits. The best view of the city centre with its historic spires and towers of Oxford University can be obtained at the park’s highest point, a favourite location for photographers.
Large green parkland setting frames the view and draws the eye down to the city centre. Eye passes over suburb and green mantle of Cherwell Valley trees without incident.
Compact medieval city centre with the Magdalen College Tower centres the view.
Glimpses of other historic rooftops can be seen between the trees. London Place creates a historic urban edge.
Large skyscape is balanced by large open foreground and hills beyond the city centre. The background hills draw the eye to the city centre.
all potential redevelopment would be below and behind the key university group of buildings and would not adversely affect the view. Development would need to be very high to be seen. additional care and consideration would be required to ensure there is no harm to the view.
Prop
osed
Sta
tion
hidd
en b
ehin
d th
e hi
stor
ic b
uild
ings
Che
rwel
l Val
ley
Chr
ist
Chu
rch
Gro
up
Lond
on P
lace
Mag
dale
n C
olle
ge T
ower
Uni
vers
ity G
roup
Diagram illustrating an approximate impact of the proposed Station on Oxford View from South Park (based on information form Oxford City Council Heritage and Specialist Services Team)
Oxford View from South Park
South Park View Cone
Page
47
City centre
Protected views - no impact
View from Port Meadow
View from Thames Bridge
View from Castle Mound
V1
V2
V3
The three relevant protected Oxford viewpoints have been tested for the
outline masterplan which we have followed. Our building height is in line
with the masterplan and below the +18m datum with a single exception.
Our clocktower is higher by 2m although is narrow, in profile and outside
of the key views.
With this in mind we have selected closer views where the new
station is visible. For this we have selected the Thames Bridge
on Botley Road , Port Meadow and Castle Mound all of which
indicate invisibility (Port Meadow) or minor and incidental impact.
Three further closer views have been tested and included in the
presentation.
View from Thames Bridge
Plan showing tested views Port Meadow - no impact
View from Castle Mound - no impact
6
5
6
34
12
The redevelopment of Oxford Station will present logistical issues
associated with constructing new structures in a live rail environment and
keeping the station operational. The proposed new passenger routes are
in different locations to those in the existing station. Minimising disruption
to operations and customer experience can be achieved by reducing the
construction programme through designing with prefabricated modular
units, which are manufactured and finished prior to assembly onsite.
A key challenge is the construction of the Cross-Track Building. YHA is due
to be demolished in Phase 2 (April – December 2018), the cycle parking in
Phase 6 (January 2020 – December 2021). These activities will unlock the
crane access required to construct the Cross-Track Building.
The proposed Cross-Track Building is predominantly a single storey
structure (there is an additional floor which forms part of the new station
building) which reduces the complexity of the works. The complete
installation of the main deck effectively provides a crash deck and working
platform from which the remainder of the construction can be performed
safely above the railway tracks.
Primary steelwork structure would be required to facilitate the long spans
and cantilevering elements, using support on the platforms, integrated
within the stairs and lift structures, where possible. The deck could
be installed in sections which span between these primary steelwork
elements, which may require temporary propping during installation.
These supports would require piling to provide the load bearing capacity.
The maximum span between platforms is approximately 20m. These deck
sections could be fully pre-assembled and finished, transported to site,
lifted in by crane and fixed into place. This approach is similar to traditional
bridge construction. Installation is envisaged during night time closures of
the station in Phase 6.
CONSTRUCTIBILITYOxford Station Area Design Competitiond. A Constructability statement
The Cross-Track Building would comprise of deck, glass walls, internal
columns, and a lightweight roof. The deck would be a stiff steel
grillage capable of spanning 16m. The overall finished depth would be
approximately 1m. The glass walls are fixed into pockets set along the
edges of the deck, with internal columns located within the main space.
The lightweight roof spans between the glass walls and internal columns
and provides lateral restraint through diaphragm action.
Phasing
The current masterplan shows an 8 phase sequence to achieve the
full transformation from the existing station. Our proposals align with this
phasing sequence and are deliverable in the same manner. The existing
station is not demolished until phase 7 and as per the current masterplan,
the proposed station is sited to the south of the existing station in order that
it can be constructed adjacent and be operational prior to the demolition
of the current station.
Main deck in modular sections.
Primary steelwork truss spanning across all platforms.
Primary steelwork spanning between supports on platforms
Supports on platforms integrated into vertical circulation.
Lightweight roof in modular sections.
Temporary support from platforms during construction.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Station Structural Arrangement Diagram
Phasing Diagram showing boundaries of new and existing stations
Existing Station
New station Proposals
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