RIBA Stirling Prize 2016: Blavatnik School Of Government

UK Construction Online takes a closer look at the Blavatnik School Of Government building that’s been shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2016.

First up is Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. This building already has picked up a number of awards in 2016– the RIBA National award, the RIBA South Award and the RIBA South Client of the Year.

Designed by the Swiss architects responsible for the Tate Modern, Herzog & de Meuron, the Blavatnik School of Government is one of Oxford University’s latest departments.

The building was officially opened by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, in May 2016 but has been in use since the end of last year.

Herzog & de Meuron were tasked with reflecting the School’s mission of “improving government around the world, bringing people together in an inspiring and open space”.

To this end, the design incorporates a central meeting area known as The Forum.

The building itself is made up of a stack of cylindrical and horseshoe shaped volumes that reflect Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre that reside nearby.

RIBA described the interior of the building as “simply breathtaking”.

Blavatnik School Of Government want the students to constantly enage with ear other. RIBA say this achieved with“offset balconies and wide twisting staircases, interactive spaces at the junction of stairs and communal spaces between. The traditional Oxford quad has been reinterpreted and the rule book thrown away, resulting in a space where people naturally come together and engage both physically and emotionally.”

The winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on Thursday 6 October 2016.

photos (c) Iwan Baan

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