Key principles

Global trajectories

• Respond to transformative changes in disciplines and technologies
• Research activity and personnel are international and increasingly mobile
• A place for the most talented people and organisations
• A location for innovative activities and spaces

‘Oxford-ness’

• A ‘good neighbour’ to surrounding communities
• Opportunity to create a new centre within the north of the city
• New amenities should serve surrounding and emerging neighbourhoods as well as the site itself
• Building profiles should respond to topography and the character of the surrounding area

Long term adaptation

• Simple development parcels serviced by straightforward infrastructure
• Development parcels capable of subdividing or fusing depending on building sizes and functions
• Buildings should be robust and future-proofed

Landscape

•  Masterplan organised around a clearly defined set of open spaces
• Three land areas linked together, with distinctive conditions responding to specific opportunities
• Fingers of open space oriented towards the Canal and Port Meadow
• A central street can form the heart of the site
• Internal ‘green’ to the east protects from road and rail noise

Climate and energy

• Canopies and shelters link buildings to protect from the rain
• Open spaces and public activities oriented towards the sun
• Rainwater used for cooling of buildings and amenity in public realm
• Opportunities for leadership and innovation in sustainability and for this to be undertaken