Winner of Oxford Station Architecture Competition

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

The Oxford Station consortium is pleased to announce the winners of the architectural ideas competition which took place before Christmas for a concept design for our new station, and the associated development of the adjoining land in the west end of Oxford City Centre.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

Oxford’s existing station will not support planned economic growth longer term and the area fails to provide a sense of welcome to a world class University City, rich in heritage and with a dynamic 21st century economy based on innovation and research.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

Following the completion of a masterplan for the station area, six high profile architects were shortlisted to produce ideas for what a new rail station development could look like and how it could link to the recently completed Frideswide Square.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

The competition, which was managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the consortium, attracted ideas from top firms of award winning architects. The six firms were: John McAslan Architects (Entry A); Wilkinson Eyre (Entry B); Allies & Morrison (Entry C); AHMM (Entry D); Rick Mather Architects (Entry E) and AHR (Entry F).

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

The firms that produced the ideas were all specially selected because of their creativity and expertise in the design of high quality transport related buildings and public spaces. Following an exhibition at the Castle Quarter and an online consultation process during December 2015, the public were invited to vote for the designs they liked best.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © AHR

The outright winner was AHR (Entry F) which scored over 70% of the public votes giving them the award of the ‘Peoples Favourite’. AHR’s entry was selected because the station design was original and impressive. The judges also liked the idea of a restaurant on the roof of the station itself.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © Wilkinson Eyre

A judging panel from Network Rail, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council along with Department for Transport and Great Western Railway, awarded the three winning places to Wilkinson Eyre; Allies & Morrison and AHR. The panel was advised by architect Joanna Van Heyningen.

Oxford Station Architecture Competition
Image © Allies and Morrison

The judges thought that Wilkinson Eyre’s entry was appealing due to its single roof concept, and the way in which the design of the car-park and bus interchange supported an improved character for the whole area and improved its commercial potential. Allies and Morrison’s entry was admired by the judges because of its simplicity of approach and very attractive main station building. Source by RIBA, images by Oxford City Council.

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