Passivhaus extension for 16th century Corpus Christi, Oxford, by Wright & Wright

Image: CGI view to Corpus Christi's new Spencer Building with Christchurch's Canterbury gate on right - courtesy of Wright & Wright

Wright & Wright has been commissioned by Corpus Christi, Oxford, to extend its 16th century library, targeting Passivhaus aims to increase space, improve access, and safeguard a world-class collection while minimising the building's operational energy use.

The Spencer Building is an ambitious new build project with historic façade retention, designed within a constrained conservation site in line with Corpus Christi College future development plans.

The library is of national architectural and historical significance, However, it has been challenged by limited space and not meeting the current needs of students and staff. The project will Increase the number of study spaces, improve disabled access, and create a fit-for-purpose specialist archival store. It extends and redevelops the library, while respecting the heritage of the site within the Oriel Square Conservation Area.

The design has been developed to simplify the form as far as possible in order to minimise surface area heat loss and streamline insulation. There are two different zones within the building which are thermally separated to avoid heat gains, and dealt with separately for Passivhaus Certification: the archival stores, and the occupied spaces.

Across three floors, the new reading rooms have been designed to ensure that desks are in the brightest part of the plan, overlooking the garden quad. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and provides excellent views.

The Spencer Building retains medieval fabric on three elevations and is built on top of historic foundations. New ashlar sandstone cladding was used for other elevations. Incorporating high levels of insulation has increased the depth of the walls and roof on an already tight site. In addition, the airtightness boundary was carefully considered to ensure the hygroscopic historic stone walls avoided unwanted build up of moisture. The project was managed carefully throughout the design process and the details discussed and agreed with the Passivhaus certifier.

Maintaining existing medieval stonework on some elevations significantly reduced embodied carbon, but resulted in some complex detailing to meet Passivhaus requirements.

'We are delighted to have worked with Wright & Wright on the design of our new Special Collections Centre.  The creative conversation between new and old buildings that is embedded in their designs and the adoption of Passivhaus standards exemplify the blending of tradition and modernity that characterises the College.'

Professor Helen Moore - President, Corpus Christi College Oxford

Below: section / elevation of Spencer Building (from Wright & Wright)

Looking north to Radcliffe Camera from Corpus Christi's new Spencer Building - photo coutesy Hufton + Crow

Above - Christchurch's Canterbury gate at night with Corpus Christi Spencer Building project boards (Photo by Matthew Locke)