Projects
University College MCR
A new lift providing inclusive access to the first floor common room at University College, Oxford.
The installation delivers Part-M compliant access to the MCR Common Room on the first floor of the existing Mitchell Building. Although the building is one of the few unlisted buildings within the College, it displays an engaging appearance and plays a pivotal role with its ancillary and support uses to the college.
The new lift is designed to blend seamlessly with the historic fabric of the College, with a frameless glass lower shaft to retain sightlines, and an upper structure finished with timber fins and lead detailing to match the existing architectural language. Davies Maguire designed an independent structural frame and reduced-depth pit to acheive the architectural intent while minimising impact to the existing building and foundations.
A new gateway through the listed stone wall makes use of a subtle steel portal frame to provide support to the existing listed archway.
The design also incorporates retaining walls to facilitate accessibility ramps providing access to the lift. Due to the presence of a tree root protection zone in these areas, pitched screw piles were adopted to minimise foundation depths and reduce impact on the existing root system.
Images provided by Original Field of Architecture.
