Since 1957, the Middle East Center at St. Antony's College has been the University of Oxford's facility for research and teaching on the Arab world, Iran, Israel and Turkey. Over the years, the center's world-class archive has grown exponentially, leading to the commission of Zaha Hadid Architects to expand its facility; the recently completed Investcorp Building doubled the center's library and archive space, while delicately integrating a new 117-seat lecture theater into the college's restricted site.
Honoring its success and "vital role" in the community, the Investcorp Building has been selected as a winner in the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards' New Building category - now in its 38th year.
"We are delighted. The award acknowledges the vision and commitment of the team in creating a superb building that is really settling into Oxford and will be well loved by the community," said the Director of The Middle East Centre, St Antony's College Eugene Rogan.
"[The Investcorp Building] maintains the detached character of the college’s current buildings, allowing them to be read as separate elements, while introducing a contemporary building that conveys the past, present and future evolution of the college, university and city," added the architects.
Rick Mather Architects' Mansfield College East Range project was also awarded for its "contribution to the public domain" and impact on the city. You can read about all the building conservation winners on the OPT's official website.
