Time-travel with me to 2017 when the Cohen Quad first opened its doors. This modern expansion of Exeter College stands as a testament to innovative design. It serves as a vibrant hub for students and academics alike.
The Cohen Quad represents Exeter College’s commitment to progress. Exeter College is Oxford’s fourth-oldest college. It needed more space. The Cohen Quad provides research and teaching spaces. It also offers an auditorium, a café and accommodation. Ninety students can now live and study here.
Alison Brooks Architects designed the Cohen Quad. They created a stand-alone campus that complements the main Exeter College site. The building reinforces the college’s values. It remains adaptable and ages gracefully.
Look closely at the architecture around the Cohen Quad. Notice how the architects retained part of the existing facade. This was a requirement of the planning permission. They cleverly incorporated the original windows of Ruskin College. Ruskin College previously occupied this constrained city centre site.
Step inside the South Cloister corridor. It is a light-drenched meeting place. Sixteen glue-laminated timber arches form the undulating roof. A glass roof and walls enclose the corridor. Operable windows ventilate the 77-foot-long passageway. It stands 16 feet high at its peak. Alison Brooks calls the cloister symbolic. She believes it embodies the whole project. Every space encourages gathering. Students and fellows come together here.
The Cohen Quad offers diverse facilities. Discover seminar spaces and music practice rooms. Explore the learning commons and special collections archive. A roof terrace offers panoramic views. The auditorium hosts concerts and lectures.
Consider the building’s sustainable design. Natural ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning. Exposed thermal mass helps regulate the temperature. A solar thermal array provides hot water. Air source heat pumps offer low-carbon heating and cooling. Over 20% of the building’s energy comes from on-site technologies.
But like any building, the Cohen Quad has faced challenges. In 2023, a cockroach infestation temporarily closed some kitchens. The college addressed the issue. They offered meal discounts and alternative cooking spaces.
The Cohen Quad cost £22 million. Max Fordham provided MEP and acoustics services. The building spans 6,000 square meters.
The Cohen Quad exemplifies Exeter College’s evolution. It balances tradition with modernity. This space fosters collaboration and learning for generations to come. Take a moment to appreciate how the Cohen Quad enhances the Oxford experience. Its innovative design and facilities make it a special place.