Oxford's New College Unveils Striking Building Topped with a Pangolin
Key Insights
Unique Design:: The Gradel Quadrangles feature Oxford's first curved quad, a sinuous horseshoe shape wrapping around existing trees.
Symbolic Tower:: A 21-metre tower topped with a carved stone pangolin serves as a striking marker, referencing the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighting endangered species (other carvings include an octopus, moth, and golden mole).
Architectural Style:: Described potentially as 'Pangolin Postmodern' or 'Serpentine Baroque', the design uses rhubarb-and-custard-coloured stonework in harlequin patterns and a distinctive undulating metal tile roof.
Inspiration:: The design draws inspiration from diverse sources, including Tolkien, Gaudí, Soviet avant-garde architect Melnikov, and Nikolaus Pevsner's ideas on 'picturesque planning'.
Functionality:: The complex provides student bedrooms (many with en suite facilities and shared kitchens), study spaces, a 105-seat underground auditorium/recital hall, and facilities (classrooms, assembly hall, canteen) for the adjoining New College School.
Why this matters:: This building represents a significant, modern architectural statement within a deeply historical context, pushing design boundaries while aiming to complement Oxford's 'dreaming spires'. It reflects contemporary concerns through its symbolism and aims to be one of Oxford's few 'truly original' buildings, according to the college warden.
In-Depth Analysis
A Bold Addition to Oxford's Skyline
New College, founded in the 1300s, has a history of architectural innovation, claiming Oxford's first purpose-built quad and first open-sided courtyard. Architect David Kohn aimed to continue this legacy with the Gradel Quadrangles, representing a further 'opening up' of the college to the city.
Replacing previous, more conventional proposals (including a rejected 1990s plan by Léon Krier deemed too reminiscent of 1930s Nuremberg), Kohn's design was chosen in 2015 for its originality. Historic England praised its potential to 'bring joy', and Oxford’s design review panel even encouraged making the tower taller.
Design Details and Reception
The complex curves between existing Edwardian villas, creating three new quads. The architecture emphasizes curves, oversized features like large picture windows, and playful elements. The 'rhubarb and custard' stonework, harlequin patterns, and scaly roof tiles create a visually arresting, 'fruity eyeful'.
Inside, curved corridors lead to student rooms, some featuring mezzanine beds under the 'rollercoaster' roofline. Shared study spaces and kitchens are designed to be bright, and a notable feature is the underground domed rotunda leading to the wood-panelled recital hall.
While students reportedly appreciate their 'weird new digs', the project isn't without minor criticisms. The tower, while visually striking, primarily houses small offices, raising questions about functional space use. Additionally, some interior finishes feel less premium than the budget might suggest, and the metal roof tiles meet junctions somewhat clumsily – a potential consequence of a late design change from concrete to timber for sustainability reasons.
Despite these points, the overall impression is of a 'gutsy', distinctive, and thoughtfully conceived project that adds a unique character to the Oxford cityscape, built on the site where Tolkien first permitted a Hobbit musical performance.
FAQs
What is the Gradel Quadrangles?
It's a new £72m complex at Oxford's New College, including student accommodation, study areas, an auditorium, and school facilities, known for its unique curved design and pangolin-topped tower.
Why is there a pangolin on the tower?
Architect David Kohn included the pangolin as a way to reference the Covid-19 pandemic (pangolins were linked to early discussions about the virus's origins) and, along with other animal carvings, to represent species under threat.
Who designed the building?
The Gradel Quadrangles were designed by architect David Kohn, known for colourful and playful designs.
Is the building considered controversial?
It's described as a 'Marmite building' – some find it original and joyful, while others may find its unconventional style challenging to describe or accept within Oxford's traditional architecture.
Key Takeaways
Oxford continues to evolve architecturally, blending modern design with its historic environment.
Contemporary architecture can incorporate symbolic meaning, addressing current issues like pandemics and conservation.
Even prestigious institutions are commissioning unconventional, potentially divisive designs.
Pay attention to architectural details – they often tell stories about history, context, and contemporary concerns.
Discussion
What do you think of this bold architectural addition to Oxford? Does the pangolin tower strike the right note? Let us know your thoughts!
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Sources & References
Wainwright, Oliver. "A tower topped with a pangolin! The Oxford university building inspired by Tolkien … and the pandemic | Architecture | The Guardian." *The Guardian*, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/01/a-tower-topped-with-a-pangolin-the-oxford-university-building-inspired-by-tolkien-and-the-pandemic?ref=yanuki.com target="_blank".
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