Philip Dowson, Arup (1964-1967)
The Wolfson Building is one of several Dowson buildings at Somerville College. Visible from Walton Street, the Wolfson Building carefully acknowledges its neighbours via brick-clad towers at each end; however it presents a more modern take on a residential building with its columns of glass box windows, echoing those of its older neighbours.
This is one of my favourite Oxford modernist buildings – its boldness of form coupled with its humility and respect for its surroundings is a shining example of high quality, respectful design.
(In my view, this example was sadly not followed by its near neighbour further up Walton Street – the Blavatnik Centre for Government Studies. But that’s another story…)
The Wolfson was Grade II listed in 2009; a renovation plus ground floor extension was carried out in 2012.
Address: Wolfson Building, Somerville College, 32a Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AA
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