The new lecture theatre will allow the
that conveys the past, present and future
exists beneath the library archive room
Middle East Centre to expand its popular
evolution of the college, university and
to achieve the essential environmental
programme of seminars, lectures and
city.
controls and mitigate the need for
debates - much of which is open to both
heat pump provides active ground
to the existing buildings of 66 & 68
coupling controlled for both temperature
The Invescorp Building complements
Woodstock Road. The curved form of
and humidity, creating a secure
the college’s ongoing development. Its
library reading room’s western façade
environment to conserve the centre’s
design weaves through the restricted
accommodates the century-old Sequoia
renowned collection.
site at St Antony’s College to connect
tree and its extensive root network; while
and incorporate the existing protected
a drainage system has been installed
The work of the Middle East Centre
buildings and trees; while its stainless
below the foundation slabs to ensure
contributes to the global discourse and
steel façade softly reflects natural light to
the tree receives enough moisture.
greater understanding of the region.
echo the building’s context.
To the east, the archive reading room
The new Investcorp Building connects
the University and the general public.
Archetech - Page 6
mechanical air-handling. A ground source
To the west, the project’s scale defers
and librarians’ offices rise towards the
disparate buildings within the college,
The building integrates new academic
height of the 1970 brutalist Hilda Besse
defining a series of spaces for the centre’s
and research facilities within a design
Building it faces, yet the new Investcorp
renowned archive, library and seminar
defined by the existing built and natural
Building remains below the roofline of the
programmes; allowing the Middle East
environment of the college. The project
adjacent 66 Woodstock Road.
Centre to expand its commitment as a
maintains the detached character of the
vital forum of research, understanding
college’s current buildings, allowing them
The 117-seat lecture theatre is located
to be read as separate elements, while
below ground and is ventilated through
introducing a contemporary building
a thermal labyrinth. A similar labyrinth
and open debate.