Dezeen · Creativity & design

Victorian Power Station Transformed for Oxford University

John McAslan + Partners has renovated and expanded a historic Victorian power station into a modern learning and accommodation facility for the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School.

The Global Leadership Centre, located at the former Osney Power Station, now houses 120 bedrooms, flexible teaching spaces, a dining room, library, and gym. The project aimed to preserve the building's industrial character while adapting it for contemporary executive education.

The studio restored the original brick facades and rebuilt and extended the metal-clad upper levels. A triple-height entrance hall, inspired by the concept of an agora, serves as a central gathering space. An internal courtyard brings natural light into the building.

The upper floors feature perforated grey metal cladding for filtered daylight in the bedrooms. The design retains original elements like steel trusses and exposed brickwork, while incorporating modern sustainability features such as photovoltaic panels and air-source heat pumps.

Energy modeling indicated that rebuilding the lightweight internal sheds offered better long-term carbon performance than retaining the original, less efficient fabric. This allowed for a highly efficient building envelope while maintaining the monumental scale and industrial character.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.