Ahrends, Burton and Koralek (1972)
The University of Oxford’s Catholic Chaplaincy is located on St Aldates, between Rose Place and Clarks Row. The original part of the building facing St Aldates dates back to the 15th Century and is Grade I listed.
Behind the original building, however, sits a brick and concrete extension dating from 1972 – and it could not be more different.
On the Rose Place side we find large plate glass windows along a stepped facade coupled with the same sloping, fortress-like lower extremities as seen on the same architects’ work at Keble College.
And then – a curved brick wall, followed by a large block-shaped section that could be a lecture theatre, squash court or perhaps a courtroom (although we should probably leave this to the neighbouring Oxford Magistrate’s Court).
On the Clarks Row side are more curves, a large angled area of glazing (and perhaps a sunbathing area?) with another large block structure adjoining the other. It’s visually fascinating, and I could go back to it time and again.
As a sum up – the Chaplaincy pulls off the impressive trick of being simultaneously playful yet extremely severe. Well worth a visit.
Address: Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy, Rose Place, Oxford OX1 1RD
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