The famous design firm, Herzog and de Meuron, has finally been given the green light to start building the Blavatnik School of Government for the Oxford University. The project will cost around $47 million.
According to Designboom, Herzog and de Meuron were first appointed in 2011 to design the building. However, the project got stalled as some plans did not meet the required guidelines set by authorities. Now finally, the plans have been approved by the university and the school will be built at the South West corner of the Radcliffe observatory.
The school will be a 9800 square meter building, the lower floors of which will be used as classrooms and for academic session venues. The upper floors will be used for research and other activities that require a quieter environment. A library will be made atop the building, which will offer panoramic views of the university and the city, reports bdOnline.com.
Interiors of the building will be arranged to resemble an auditorium or concert hall with interconnecting staircases. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2015.
According to Herzog and de Meuron:
"With this proposal we aim to provide a project that can act as a focal point both for the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter and the academic activity of the study of government and public policy; a landmark building housing a ground breaking School."
Read more on the architecture at Dezeen.
About Blavatnik School of Government
"The Blavatnik School of Government will become a global centre of excellence for the study of government and public policy. The School's aim is to teach the practice of government and leadership in ways which will strengthen communities, create opportunities and foster cooperation across the world. The School offers Oxford University a new way to contribute to the world."
Check out an animated video of the building below:
