What if concrete could be beautiful? That’s the question the Hilda Besse Building, part of the Besse Buildings at St Antony’s College, answers.
The Besse Buildings stand as a testament to modern architecture. They showcase a unique blend of form and function.
Let’s delve into the story of this iconic structure, a key feature of the Besse Buildings. St Antony’s College was founded in 1948. Antonin Besse, a French shipping magnate, donated £2 million. The college became a center for postgraduate teaching.
The Hilda Besse Building is named after Antonin Besse’s wife. It serves as the social heart of St Antony’s College. Designed by John Partridge of Howell, Killick, Partridge & Amis HKPA, it was completed in 1970. The building quickly gained recognition. It won the RIBA Architecture Award and Concrete Society Award in 1971.
The Hilda Besse Building offers much to admire. The double-height dining hall seats 250 people. Above it is an impressive gridded concrete ceiling. Roof lights are set diagonally. Contrasting timber reveals incorporate lighting. The Fellows’ Dining Room has large windows overlooking the gardens. The Clock Room provides a more intimate dining space. The Hadid Room is used for small meetings. The Buttery serves as a multi-functional common room.
The building’s design cleverly adapts Brutalism. It integrates it into the traditional Oxford dining hall format. Activities focus on the main dining hall. The daylight-filled ground floor is mostly glazed. Octagonal columns support the upper floor. Precast concrete units with a fine acid-etched finish clad the building. Sculpturally angled panels surround the windows. They resemble eyelids.
The Hilda Besse Building earned Grade II listed status from Historic England. It is a major university building designed by HKPA. HKPA is acclaimed for its post-war university buildings. The building showcases a skillful application of concrete. It provides a modern interpretation of the traditional hall.
The building’s elegance and amenity left a lasting impression. The wide span, open coffered ceiling of the dining hall is striking.
In 2021, Purcell, a British architecture firm, completed a refurbishment. The project included repairs and upgrades. Accessibility improvements were made. A new disabled-access toilet was added. A new, enlarged lift was installed. Permanent ramps and powered doors now grace the main entrance. Thermal efficiency was improved for sustainability. The refurbishment preserved the building’s historical significance. It won an Oxford Preservation Trust award. It was recognized for best building conservation.
Jon Wright, a Twentieth Century Heritage Consultant, aptly described the building. He said, “Hilda Besse is a refined and stylish piece of Post-War architecture.” He added, “It’s about as far from brutal, as Brutalism ever got.”
The Besse Buildings represent a commitment to international study. The Hilda Besse Building stands as a testament to architectural innovation. It provides a space for socializing, dining, and intellectual exchange. It enriches the lives of students and scholars at St Antony’s College.