71 HIGH STREET, OXFORD
‘The greenest building is the one that is already built.’
Repairs and alterations to 71 High St Oxford are almost complete on site. Oliver Architecture acted as lead consultant and contract administrator for the project which was part of Magdalen College, University of Oxford’s 5-year decarbonisation plan. In April 2022 Magdalen College commissioned a high-level report which identified the potential to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 to Magdalen Colleges array of heritage buildings of high architectural value but low-carbon efficiency.
71 High Street has formed a large part of that plan, currently functioning as student accommodation the building dates from c1772. The project aimed to address the energy efficiency of the building by introducing sustainable upgrades whilst maintaining the historical fabric.
Despite some modernisation many original features remain such as original run plaster cornices, lath and plaster internal finishes, cast iron fireplaces and sash windows. These all needed to be carefully considered in the scheme and therefore an approach to insulating the frame to improve thermal values was undertaken. Sheepswool Thermafleece was installed following the removal of the damaging cement render and repairs to the timber frame using Accoya avoiding any disturbance to the plaster features internally. The cement render was replaced with a traditional lime render with historical ashlar lining reinstated. Air source heat pumps were fitted to the buildings basement courtyard and a complete refit of all the M&E services to the building was carried out.
This project has been a wonderful opportunity to carry out sustainable repairs to ensure the building can remain in use for many years to come.
71 High Street has formed a large part of that plan, currently functioning as student accommodation the building dates from c1772. The project aimed to address the energy efficiency of the building by introducing sustainable upgrades whilst maintaining the historical fabric.
Despite some modernisation many original features remain such as original run plaster cornices, lath and plaster internal finishes, cast iron fireplaces and sash windows. These all needed to be carefully considered in the scheme and therefore an approach to insulating the frame to improve thermal values was undertaken. Sheepswool Thermafleece was installed following the removal of the damaging cement render and repairs to the timber frame using Accoya avoiding any disturbance to the plaster features internally. The cement render was replaced with a traditional lime render with historical ashlar lining reinstated. Air source heat pumps were fitted to the buildings basement courtyard and a complete refit of all the M&E services to the building was carried out.
This project has been a wonderful opportunity to carry out sustainable repairs to ensure the building can remain in use for many years to come.