Opened 1968 | Function Dormitory | |
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Architecture firm Powell & Moya Architect Practice Architects Philip Powell, Hidalgo Moya Similar Peckwater Quadrangle, Tom Quad, Mob Quad, Christ Church Picture G, Tom Tower | ||
The Blue Boar Quadrangle is a quadrangle at the University of Oxford's Christ Church. It was designed by Hidalgo Moya and Philip Powell, and built between 1965 and 1968. The quadrangle has been described as "One of the best buildings of its kind during the expansion of higher education" by Lord McIntosh of Haringey, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport. The quadrangle has held the classification of Grade II* listed building since 17 October 2006, a status shared by only 20,000 other structures in the country due to the unique nature of its 1960s architecture. Blue Boar underwent a substantial renovation from 2007-8, resulting in the conversion of all rooms to modern en-suites.
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Map of Blue Boar Quad, Oxford OX1, UK
The Blue Boar Quadrangle is just to the south of the historic Blue Boar Street, off St Aldate's, hence the name.
Usage
The quadrangle, which hosts 61 Christ Church, Oxford first years during term time and interviewees and conference guests during the Christmas, Easter and Long Vacations is viewed by many as an eyesore when compared to other quadrangles (e.g., Peckwater Quadrangle, Tom Quad) in the college. The accommodation consists of mostly medium sized rooms with a desk, bed, fridge and window seat. With the large windows, the lighting is sufficient to work by, although may be considered dull by some. Some rooms at ground level have a small problem with damp, due to the singly glazed windows and proximity to the grass.
Architecture
Blue Boar Quadrangle was built on the site of an old car park and garages, next to the narrow, high-walled Blue Boar Street. The quadrangle was designed so that the top floor penthouses provide a broken, set-back series of horizontal planes that help to reduce the scale of the development seen from the street and is constructed almost entirely of characteristic Portland Whitbed and Roach Stone, which adds a unique quality absent from most 1960s developments. The quad itself is an 'L' shape, the rectangular nature being interrupted by the old college brewhouse. Most of the staircases are four storeys but staircase four is three storeys with a semi-basement, which houses archives and a meeting room. There is also a new route from the path to Tom Quad which loops back behind Killcanon and brings you straight into the middle of the Blue Boar Quad. This is for students only, but is repeatedly defied by tourists in an attempt to see Oxford Students in their 'natural habitat'. The route is slightly longer than going through Killcanon but decidedly more aesthetically pleasing.