Articles
Fountains Hall Redevelopment
The Next Stage
From November Fountains Hall will receive a significant upgrade, improving its provision for sports, spirituality and the arts
Peter Swift, Vice Master
Architects drawings of the planned improvements to Fountains Hall, for the ground floor, LEFT, and the roof, RIGHT
Fountains Hall was originally conceived in the 1960’ s and constructed in 1971 as a multi-functional space for the College. One of its original aims was as a way to boost the College’ s conference trade, providing a dedicated space in which that activity could take place during the summer vacations. It currently provides recreational space for the College including the chapel, main hall with a raised stage area, two music practice rooms, a kitchen, a small breakout space, a small office and toilet facilities. It was built when the College population was around 300, whereas now we have over 1000 students, including 465 resident on-site. The increasing pressure on space has been further compounded by the introduction of higher fire and safety standards. For example, fire regulations now limit the Main Hall’ s capacity to 60 and the kitchen is no longer in use, because the equipment does not comply with safety regulations. The building also fails to satisfy College aspirations for attracting a more diverse student body. It was constructed on two levels, with no level access to the kitchen, breakout space, music practice rooms, stage or toilets, which means that access for wheelchair users is limited to the main hall, the chapel and the office. The future development and refurbishment of Fountains Hall was thus a key part of the planned second phase of the Jubilee Development Project, initiated in 2007 to celebrate the College’ s 50th Anniversary in
2009. Phase one of the project, completed in 2010-11, incorporated much-needed extensions to both the Junior Common Room and Victor Watts Library. This was complemented in 2013, with a small extension to the Oswald accommodation block to improve the College gym facilities. Further fundraising by the College through the Trust, alongside matched funding from the University, for the improvement of student experience facilitates, has meant that we have been able to commission plans for the extension and refurbishment of the building. The primary aim has been to create a centre for arts and culture to match the expectations of our students, in line with University policies relating to the arts, outreach and disability access. In recent weeks, the go ahead for this refurbishment has been given, and we hope to commence this later in the calendar year. A steering committee, with representation from across the College community, has developed plans, as shown below, in conjunction with our appointed architects, Atkins. The refurbishment will:
- Provide a larger Main Hall and stage, for the staging of both plays and sports practice. By using portable staging, the flexibility of the space as a whole will be enhanced, and the design can be in-line with current fire regulations allowing a significant increase to capacity.
- Increase the number of music practice
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