Blue Boar Quadrangle

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A quadrangle of Christ Church, Oxford, designed by Hidalgo Moya and Philip Powell, and built between 1965 and 1968, Blue Boar Quadrangle has been described as "One of the best buildings of its kind during the expansion of higher education." by Lord Andrew McIntosh, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport. The quadrangle has held the classification of Grade II* listed building since 17th October 2006, a status shared by only 20,000 other structures in the country due to the unique nature of its 1960's architecture. Blue Boar is due a major renovation in 2007/8, displacing up to 70 undergraduates.

[edit] 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 some students as an eyesore when compared to other quadrangles (eg. 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. The green itself is used for games of ultimate and as an alternative sleeping place for those unable to locate their keys.

[edit] 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, with 'penthouses' occupied by tutors at the very top. Staircase four is three storeys with a semi-basement, which houses archives and a meeting room.