Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford

The Blavatnik School of Government is a major academic building forming part of the University of Oxford’s Radcliffe Observatory Quarter redevelopment.

Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the building sits within one of the most historically sensitive urban environments in the United Kingdom. The site lies close to the historic skyline of Oxford and within a landscape where views from surrounding countryside and historic approach routes are carefully protected.

The project therefore required detailed analysis of how the new building would appear in both the immediate city context and long-distance views across the Oxford skyline.

Client :

GMJ worked with the project team led by:

• University of Oxford

The project formed part of the wider redevelopment of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter in central Oxford.

Architects :

• Herzog & de Meuron

We provided :

GMJ carried out the townscape and visual impact assessment work supporting the planning application for the new building.

Our work included:

• Creating a detailed 3D digital model of central Oxford to support the visibility analysis and planning studies

• A Visibility Analysis (ZTV) analysis to identify potential visibility of the proposed building across the city and surrounding landscape

• Carrying out an extensive photographic recce of viewpoints across Oxford and the surrounding countryside

• Identifying key viewpoints from which the development should be assessed

• Views for Planning (AVRs) for the planning application

• A Public Consultation Animation demonstrating the approach to the new building and its relationship with surrounding streets and historic structures

• Preparation of large-format (‘view equivalent size’) imagery for public exhibition

• Preparing the final Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) chapter supporting the planning submission

Context :

The project required careful consideration of Oxford’s historic skyline, including views towards the city’s historic colleges and landmark buildings.

The visual analysis ensured that the proposed building by Herzog & de Meuron could be understood within the wider context of Oxford’s sensitive historic townscape.

Selected examples of our work are shown below.