The Spencer Building at Corpus Christi College, Oxford
The Spencer Building at Corpus Christi College, Oxford
We worked as structural engineers to help modernise the main library at Corpus Christi College, Oxford by improving access to the special collections - now housed within a new, improved security and climate-controlled building that preserves the College’s valuable archive.
Located south of the city centre, Corpus Christi is one of Oxford’s oldest and smallest colleges. Its library, which was founded in the 16th century, has a collection of 60,000 volumes, including original works by Galileo, Erasmus and the Venerable Bede.
The Spencer Building, located within the College’s central site, provides a range of carefully curated spaces with facilities designed to support world-leading research.
Internally, the building includes art archival and study spaces, as well as an additional 1,200m of shelving for manuscripts and early printed books. The building serves as a new, three-storey, purpose-built home for the College’s special collections and archives, in an environmentally sustainable building, using technologies including passive temperature and humidity controls. Reader desks make the most of the natural light and provide differing views out into the College gardens at first floor level and the neighbouring roofscape from the top floor, with a palette of materials such as oak and brass used throughout, in keeping with the rest of the College.
Externally, a new ashlar stone façade fronting Oriel Square has been added, whilst a small outdoor space with benches facilitates social interactions and collaborative working amongst the student community.
Client Corpus Christi College
Architect Wright & Wright