Oxford Balliol College set for more student accommodation

What is claimed to be the English speaking world’s oldest college, Balliol College in Oxford, has appointed BAM Construction to create the student accommodation for the first phase of its Master’s Field master plan.

Around 220 study bedrooms for students will be built as part of the Master’s Field Project allowing Balliol to offer accommodation to all its undergraduates for their time at Oxford.

The £39.6M development will be in the area between the Master’s Field, Jowett Walk and St Cross Road, adjacent to Balliol’s sports ground.

Nine new buildings will provide the student accommodation which is expected to open in summer 2020.

BAM Construction in the South East will deliver the vision of architect Niall McLaughlin which is responsible for the full master plan.

In the first phase, work will begin on the south of the site, at the corner of Jowett Walk and St Cross Road, to provide the accommodation for undergraduates and the new pavilion. BAM has just commenced on site.

“The project as a whole will transform our accommodation offering to both undergraduates and postgraduates,” says the Master of Balliol, Professor Sir Drummond Bone.

BAM’s Anthony Nagle is the construction director for the scheme. It marks his fourth major project in the city of Oxford, following his leadership of the Investcorp (or Softbridge) Building for St Antony’s College, the Ashmolean Museum’s new wing, and the current Acland Project for Keble College. He said:

“This is a marvellous city for architecture and individuality. It’s a complex place to build with numerous professional technical challenges for engineers and contractors. The Master’s Field scheme is typically ambitious, striking and visionary.

“As BAM’s track record here demonstrates, we do not shrink from the most complicated schemes. And our embedded collaborative culture is what helps us to deliver even the most ambitious and challenging designs. We’re looking forward to our partnership at historic Balliol College.”